Africa-Press – Kenya. Western Region handball champions Musingu School and former national champions St. Joseph’s Girls, Kitale, advanced to the semi-finals at the ongoing Brookside National Secondary Schools Games in Kisumu.
Both Musingu and St Joseph’s Girls, also known as JOGA, registered back-to-back wins during matches played at Kisumu National Polytechnic to secure their places in the last four.
Musingu sealed qualification with a 36-21 victory over Kenyatta High School on Wednesday, having earlier opened their campaign with a dominant 46-26 win over St. Mary’s School, Yala.
The Western champions had dethroned the national and East Africa champions, St Luke’s Kimilili, during the regional games. St. Joseph’s Boys, Kitale, also booked a semi-final slot after defeating St. Mary’s School, Yala, 29-21, a result that saw Yala eliminated from the competition.
St. Joseph’s had earlier beaten Kenyatta High School 36-26 in their opening match. Musingu and St. Joseph’s Boys, Kitale, will now clash today to determine the pool winners.
Elsewhere, Central region’s Hangege edged debutants St. Austin’s Matuu 19-18, while Highway bounced back to winning ways with a convincing 48-15 victory over Sheick Ali.
In the girls’ category, St Joseph’s Girls Kitale, backed by Chief Principal Rosebella Orwaru, thrashed Karai Girls 32-19 to book a semi-final place, having earlier hammered Mwatate Girls 43-13.
St. Joseph’s Girls coach Edwin Adamba said, “We have three more games to go because we came here to play five games from the group stage to the finals. We want to go for some simple wins.” Elsewhere, Mwatate Girls overwhelmed Wajir Girls 52-8 in a one-sided encounter. St. Mary’s School Yala coach Bon Ongili reflected on his team’s debut campaign.
“It was a good debut for the boys. It was our first time, and we learned the levels of competition. It was a motivating season that we would build on next year, where I expect the boys to now challenge for a podium finish,” said Ongili.
