SCHOOL GAMES: Serani retain football title in Mombasa

Kabarnet and Serani players in action. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Coast Region Secondary School boys' football champions Serani had a lot of great football after they proved it was no longer harder to defend their title during the Mombasa County Term Two games.

Under veteran coach Swaleh Abdalla, the champions dismissed Changamwe Secondary School 3-0 on Friday to retain the title at their opponents' home ground.

A goal from Athman Kibwana, Salim Ali and Hamis Nyale was what Serani needed to set their eyes on the regional games to be held in Voi, Taita Taveta County on July 19-23.

Interestingly, both teams met in the group stages where Serani hamerred their opponents 5-0. However, both teams have qualified for the regional games where Serani have been drawn in group A alongside Taita Taveta 2, Lamu and Kwale representatives. Changamwe are in group B together with Taita Taveta 1, Kilifi and Tana River representatives.

Coach Abdalla said his collaboration with Bandari Youth in their training programs has been an added advantage compared to their opponents.

"We have a program that runs the whole year unlike other schools that assemble their teams a few months away from the games," he said.

Khadija Secondary School were third after their would-be opponents Makupa failed to show up for the playoffs.

In the girls' football, Bomu Secondary School from Changamwe Sub-County were crowned new champions after beating Kaa Chonjo 1-0 in the final.

The solitary goal was scored in the first half by Mason Gloria. Surprisingly, Kaa Chonjo had defeated Bomu 3-1 in the group stages.

In the rugby sevens, Miritini Secondary School emerged the new champions after thrashing Khamis Secondary School 29-0 in the final.

In Kilifi games, little-known Ramada School beat netball defending champions Kizurini and Mayowe Schools 33-15 and 34-11 respectively. Chumani beat Ribe girls 36-17 and went ahead to stop Mwarakaya 39-24. Kibokoni edged out Bahari Girls 33-19 as Ribe bounced back to defeat Mwarakaya 30-13.

In boys volleyball, Vyambani beat Kasidi 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-14). Vyambani who are the girls title holders also followed their boys' footsteps to beat Ronald Ngala 3-0 (25-8, 25-12, 25-10). The games were held at Marafa Secondary School in Malindi.