SCHOOLS. Kwanthanze romp into last four in Uganda games

Kesogon Secondary school volleyball payers in action against Kwanthanze Girls. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Reigning girls’ volleyball champions Kwanthanze Secondary School on Wednesday advanced to the semi-finals of the ongoing East Africa secondary school games.

Kwanthanze, who are seeking to extend their reign to six years in a row, continued to rule the courts in Bukedea District.

The Kenyan girls humbled home girls Seroma Christian High School in straight sets of 25-18, 25-11 and 25-16 to make it three wins out of three.

A delighted Kwanthanze coach Justin Kigwari said that qualifying for the semis with a match at hand gives them a chance to strategise.

“It’s good that the girls have worked very hard this far because after securing our place in the semis with a match in hand we can now work on a strategy for the semis,” he said.

Kwanthanze is the first side to qualify in Group A which also has former champions Lugulu Girls who registered their first win yesterday.

They beat Rwanda’s St Aloys 3-1(25-22, 21-25, 31-29, 25-12) in their third match.

Lugulu returned to the East Africa games after five years in the cold, while Kwanthanze, who have dominated the games since 2017, are chasing their eighth regional gong.

In the boys’ contest, defending champions Friends Boys High School Namwela beat Bugobwa Secondary School from Tanzania 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 18-15, 25-22) to register their first win in Group A. 

Namwela seemed to be struggling as they lost their opening match in straight sets to Bukedea Comprehensive School.

They were unlucky in the second tie falling to fellow Kenyans Hospital Hill in a five-set thriller.

In football, national champions Butere Girls thrashed Uganda’s Rines Secondary School 2-0 to maintain their unbeaten run.

Junior Starlets star Joy Angela Valencia continued with her impressive form netting one goal for Butere who are eying their maiden East Africa title.

Yvonne Adhiambo was also on target for the Red Commandos.