Philip Onyango
12 August 2009
Nairobi — A solitary goal by Andrew Kulecho in the dying minutes of the game gave Kakamega High School of Kenya a deserved 1-0 victory over a stubborn Isiolo Secondary as the Barclays Secondary Schools Term Two B Games got underway at Shanzu Teachers College and Shimo la Tewa Secondary School.
Popularly known as the "Green Commandoes", Kakamega were initially given a scare by Isiolo from Eastern Province, who took control in the first minute.
Mohammed Ali, Ahmed Mohammed and Martin Ekuom gave the captain Fredrick Chitai-marshaled Kakamega defence a hard time but failed to translate their chances into goals.
Kakamega twice came close after overlapping Chitai and Kulecho but were repeatedly kept at bay by steady Isiolo goalkeeper Ahmed Mahmud who made several daring saves for a barren first half.
Despite having blamed the bumpy pitch and heavy winds, Kakamega came into the second half more forcefully and in the 80th minute Andrew Kulecho hit a through pass by Warren Isuza home after second-half substitute Kennedy Thalwa had done the spadework.
In the other Pool A match at Shanzu TTC, Kapenguria from Western twice came from behind to hold resilient Tetu Secondary (Central) 2-2 in a fast match.
Watched by, among other dignitaries, Education Minister Sam Ongeri, who was the Chief Guest at the official opening ceremony, Stephen Karo shot Tetu into the lead in the 32th minute after a one-two combination by Rufus Kiritai and Johnson Githua for a 1-0 half-time lead.
Stretched the lead
Kapenguria, who had second-half substitute Samson Lopolian to thank for the draw, equalised in the 50th minute through Lopolian following a fine move by Titus Lokok.
Ephantus Wambugu stretched the lead for Tetu when he volleyed in a Jacob Werimo pass in the 81st minute before captain Joseph Odanga scored on the stroke of time.
Odanga however missed scoring the winner when he lost a penalty awarded after he was tripped by Alex Masho.
In girls' football, St Teresa from Nairobi were made to sweat before beating Coast representatives Moi Girls Kadzonzo 1-0 at Shimo la Tewa while Elizabeth "Kachali" Mwikali scored the lone goal via a free kick five minutes from time.
Former champions Wiyeta Secondary hammered Matuu Memorial (Eastern) 4-0 through Adede Adhiambo's 27th minute goal and Susan Akinyi's hat-trick (30th, 34th and 38th).
Thursday's football programme
Boys: 11am- Mivumoni v Langata High (Shanzu), Country v Karabok (Shimo la Tewa); 4pm- Kapenguria v Kakamega (Shanzu), Isiolo v Tetu (Shimo la Tewa); Girls: 9am- Shimbo v Gataragwa, Butere v Sega; 2pm- St Teresa v Matuu, Wiyeta v Moi Girls Kadzonzo