National School Games: Champions Wiyeta held by Madira

Madira put up some spirited defending as they held the reigning champions Wiyeta Girls in a 1-1 draw at the ongoing National School Games in Kakamega County on Wednesday.

Wiyeta fell a goal down early after Valerie Nekesa struck the opener for the Soccer Assassins at the Bukhungu Stadium after a lively opening to the contest.

But the Kenya Women's Division One golden boot winner’s effort was cancelled five minutes from half time when Edna Wauda responded for Wiyeta.

The second half was an exercise in backs to the wall defending for Madira as Wiyeta threw bodies forward in search of the winner.

Nekesa almost hit her second against the run of play but her 18-yard effort was pushed away by goalkeeper Velma Auma with an excellent save.

Francis Muhambe, the Ebwali head coach who has come in to help Madiras’s Nicky Mulera after guiding Ebwali to the national title last year, was wowed by her side's impressive display.

"My tactics worked today but we were a little bit sloppy while attacking and forgot to recover quickly leading to Wiyeta punishing us on counter attack.

"Nekesa had a good game today, we are worried about her injury and we will assess it before we decide if she'll play tomorrow," Muhambe said.

Wiyeta head coach Edgar Manyara also lauded his girls for holding off the KWPL bound Madira but demanded more from her side.

"When you are a defending champion everyone looks to beat you. We have to become more ruthless because the competition is stiff," Manyara stated.

Elsewhere, hosts Butere earned their first three points after thumping new-bies Kombani 5-0 to top Group A on four points.

At the same venue Dagoretti Mixed stunned Njambini 2-1 while Lwak hammered Mbitini 4-1at Mukumu Boys grounds.

Madira Girls will be for lethal attacker Valerie Nekesa to be ready in time when they meet Lwak Girls from Nyanza.

Defending champions Wiyeta will face an already eliminated Mbitini as host Butere welcome Njambini.

Elsewhere last year's runners up Dagoretti Mixed will face off with Kombani.