A resilient Vihiga County showed a statement of intent at the Talanta Hela U19 Tournament after thrashing a hard fighting Homa Bay County 5-2 in an entertaining mini Mashemeji derby played at Nyayo Stadium yesterday.

Vincent Otieno gave Vihiga the lead with a beautiful curling inside the box just 16 minutes into the match.

Two minutes later Austine Odongo returned to punish Homabay with a left-footed tap that troubled goalkeeper Steve Onyango.

Nelson Ombeva extended the lead for Vihiga one minute to half time with a sublime goal that left the fans at the stadium tongue waggling.

Homa Bay gave a good show in the second half,scoring two goals in quick succession through skipper Cecil Miller who converted spot kick calmly and Ben Ogutu.

There efforts for a spectacular comeback were thwarted with two counter attacks the resulted into goals from Austin Odongo and Derick Oketch who struck at the death.

In girls’ match that was staged earlier at the same venue,Busia County had a free day in action, thumping Kakamega County 4-0.

Diana Anyango netted twice while Sharon Vida and captain Faith Lorna scored a goal each to complete Kakamega humiliation.

The tournament the kicked off yesterday runs until December 12 when the final will be held at Nyayo during Kenya’s Jamhuri Day celebrations with the winner for both boys and girls pocketing a whooping Sh 5m.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba said he expected good officiating in the tournament and wished all participants success. He urged the players to take the finals seriously as there were scouts from top local clubs and foreign academies who were watching and could easily identify some good talent and open opportunities for the players.