By Ernest Ndunda
Saint Anthony of Rift Valley needed an extra time goal to beat Kakamega High School and qualify for Saturday's final as the Airtel Raising Stars national secondary schools ball games comes to an end at the Shanzu Teachers Training College in Mombasa.
The 2007 boy’s football champions were, however, stretched to the limit before scoring in the 118th minute via Meshack Makokha after receiving a neat pass from Albert Kamau.
St Anthony’s and Upper Hill of Nairobi, the other finalist, automatically qualify for the East and Central Africa Secondary Schools games set for Bujumbura, Burundi from August 20.
In girls’ football, new girls’ football champions would be born today when St Johns Kaloleni and Tartar clash in the final.
Immediate former champions Archbishop Njenga of Western did not travel to Mombasa to defend their title as they fell on their way at the provincial level after they were knocked out by Ibinzo.
Archibishop Njenga defeated Tartar of Rift Valley in last year’s final in Nairobi.
Tartar made it to today’s final after beating Kobala of Nyanza 3-1 in the semi-final yesterday. Ruth Chepchumba, Nancy Ejulu and Nelly Atieno scored for Tartar while Nancy Juma scored for Kobala.
In the other semi-final, St Johns Kaloleni of Coast remained the surprise team of the championships after they edged out Nairobi’s Olympic 1-0 in a closely fought match at Shimo La Tewa High School.
The two teams fought for a barren draw in normal time and it was in the 14th minute of the extra time when Rachael Mwango notched home the entire important goal, which enabled her team cruise to the final.
Avenge defeat
The final will be a repeat of the events of the third day where Tartar defeated St Johns 3-1 and the latter will obviously be out to avenge the Thursday’s defeat.
