Kisumu Day through to Kisumu County games semifinals

Kisumu Day's Kevin Atito (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Nyakoko.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Defending champions Kisumu Day are through to the semifinals of the 2023 Kisumu County Secondary School term two games.

The Nyanza Region football under-19 champions saw off Nyakoko Mixed Secondary 2-0 in their opening Group B match played at the Kisumu Day grounds on Wednesday.

Kevin Atito gave Kisumu day the lead in the opening 10 minutes after beating the Nyakoko keeper with a 20 yard low shot that lifted the thousands of fans up their feet.

Moments later, Duncan Omalla (Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla's younger brother) scored to double the scores for Kisumu Day who proceeded to take a comfortable 2-0 half time break.

In the final half, both sides wasted a couple of chances in a dry 45 minutes as Kisumu Day collected three important points.

Duncan Omalla celebrates after scoring against Nyakoko.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kisumu Day coach Benjamin Oyoo told the Standard Sports that they are confident of defending their title.

"We started the match very well and dominated the early stages which saw us score first. We wanted to get the pressure off and am glad our tactic worked. We want to continue with the same spirit even today when we play Maseno," said Oyoo who teaches Physics and Maths.

His team manager Booker Odhiambo added that their main goal is getting to the nationals.

"Our goal remains to get back to the nationals. Last year luck was not on our side and despite dominating all the way from county to regionals we came short. This year I believe we are at good position to better our last year's show," said Odhiambo.

In the second match, Kisumu Day left it late to edge Kit Mikayi from Seme Sub County 2-0.

Atito scored his second goal of the county finals before Shadrack Mbaraka sealed the win.

The two wins saw Kisumu Day qualify to the knock out stages with a game to spare.

Kisumu Day players celebrate after beating Nyakoko.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Meanwhile, Maseno School are at risk of exiting the games at the group stage.

This is after playing out to a 1-1 draw with Nayakoko Mixed Secondary School in their second match.

Maseno School had lost 2-1 to Kit Mikayi in their opening match played at Lions High School.

The poor results leaves Maseno joint bottom of the Group B standings with one point same as Nyakoko.

Kisumu Day top the group with six points followed by Kit Mikayi with three points.

If Kit Mikayi defeats Nyakoko on Thursday, Maseno will be knocked out of the games.

In the girl's category, champions Nyakach Girls also kicked off their title defense with a dominant 6-0 win against Apondo and a commanding 13-0 win over Masogo.

Nyakach are also through to the semis.