Schools: Nairobi School, Upper Hill make dream start

Part of Upper Hill School Hockey team sing school anthem after qualifying for the finals by defeating Parklands Boys during Kanya Secondary School Term One games at State House Girls on Friday, April 14, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Champions Nairobi School yesterday began their regional boys’ hockey title defence perfectly routing Sunshine 16-0 as this year’s Nairobi Region Secondary Schools Term One games got underway.

In their second encounter, the hosts once again capitalised on home advantage to hit five past Moi Forces Academy (MFA) without a replay.

The undisputed star of the day Joseph Muthui was unstoppable firing four past Sunshine before ending a successful day out with three goals against MFA.

Against Sunshine, Leon Muyesu and Heskey Kiprotich netted a hat-trick each with Brian Cheruiyot and Nixon Kitsao bagging a brace while Samuel Khakame and Cyril Monday were on target once.

Muthui and Muyesu ensured that Nairobi School chalked their second victory with three and two goals respectively.

Nairobi School coach Fredrick Odhiambo said their aim is to retain the trophy and return to the national games.

“We have prepared well for competition and I believe that with God’s favour we will retain the regional trophy and get a chance to return to the national games where we want to improve on last year’s performance,” Odhiambo said.

In other matches, former champions Upper Hill announced their intentions to reclaim their crown with victories against St Alloysius and rivals Dagorett High.

They launched their quest with a 9-0 win over St Alloysius before drubbing Dagoretti 5-0.

Benda Musyoki netted a brace while captain Esbon Ombui, Maxwell Rubia and Joshua Okoth scored one goal each against Dagoretti.

A confident Upper Hill coach Dennis Wekesa intimated that their main objective this season is to qualify for the East Africa Games.

“We are playing with Kakamega East Africa games as our motivation. We failed to qualify for last year’s national games locking us out of East Africa and the boys are eager to make amends,” Wekesa said.

However, he added that it is tough task and they will be required to up their game.

“The competition is very stiff because I think that this year Nairobi has very strong teams and with only one ticket to the nationals we must up our game.”