Gekomoni are national champs

Gekomoni Boys High School from Nyamira and Archbishop Njenga Girls are this year’s Airtel Rising Stars Term Two “B” national football champions.

In volleyball, Cheptil were crowned new champions in the boys’ category while Malava retained the girls’ trophy following victories in their respective final matches.

Debutants Gekomoni defeated Tononoka from Mombasa 4-3 in post-match penalties yesterday at Moi Forces Academy to lift the boys’ title, while 2007 national girls champions Archbishop Njenga maintained 450 minutes of unbeaten run as they defeated St Teresas Tartar of Rift Valley 1-0 with an extra-time goal.

After years of underachievement by teams from South Nyanza, it seems that a bright star is finally shining for those teams in the region after St Marks Mokorogoinwa from Kisii won last year’s title.

And with this year’s win, Gekomoni have finally delivered on the biggest stage of all and confirmed their place in East Africa Secondary School Games to be held in Mbarara, Uganda, in less than two weeks.

“This was our best win in this tournament. Tononoka are a very strong side and to beat them on penalties shows just how tough the match was,” said Gekomoni’s Anderson Osoro.

Gekomoni deliver

The game begun with Gekomoni on the front foot and as expected, they sought to take control of the game with their passing.

The pressure was on Tononoka and their goal was under threat early on, with Pearson Makori coming close on two occasions. The first was a flying header from a free-kick which forced goalkeeper Ally Ally into action after just six minutes.

Makori again caused trouble down the flanks as he tricked his way past Fredrick Okoth and fired a ball across the area, only for his shot to be cleared over the bar from close range by Siasa Suleiman.

Then Nelson Mosangwe came close to opening the scoring, but his volley from Erick Ondiso’s whipped cross only found the side netting. Things weren’t looking good for the Mombasa side and after seven minutes, Makori put Gekomoni ahead.

Tononoka come close

Ali Mwinyi almost replied with a 25-metre shot, but he could only watch as his shot veered over the cross bar. He was, however, not to be denied nine minutes later when he brought Tononoka level.

After tying 1-1 after both normal and extra time, the teams went to penalties. Anderson Osor, Nelson Nasongwa, Victor Odhiambo and Peter Owuor scored for Gekomoni, while Juma Kalato, Siasa Suleiman and Matano Athman converted for Tononoka.

In volleyball, Cheptil came from a set down to defeat Tetu 3-1 (20-25, 25-12, 25-14, 25-21) in a thrilling boys’ final match as the Central Province champions tried to recover in vain.