Spot-on St Anthony clinch National football title

Spot-on St Anthony clinch National football title

St Anthony Kitale have clinched the 2019 National School Games football Under-19 champions after defeating Dagoretti High School 5-4 on post-match penalties.

Both teams arrived at the finals with an unblemished record meaning that the thousands of heads that thronged the Moi Kisumu stadium were braced for a cracker of a final.

Dagoretti made the cut for the finals after staging a 100 percent record on wins having conceded only one goal in the process while nicking their opponents’ net ten times.

However, champions St Anthony clinched the title without conceding a goal in regulation time, thus underlining their intent, concentration, and work rate in this year’s tournament.

Both sides displayed utmost precaution in the early exchanges with Dagoretti coming close in the 34th minute. Their star player in this year’s edition Zablon Kutela’s spinning wide across the face of goal.

St Anthony came back stronger in the second held by unleashing a series of attacks, but the powerful pairing of Laurent James and Marvin Ochieng coupled by their goalkeeper Jasper Okello’s heroics thwarted every one of their efforts.

In the 82nd minute, Dagoretti had a penalty appeal refuted by the referee as much to the jeers from the already animated mammoth crowd at the Kisumu stadium.

Neither side could break the stalemate even in extra time, meaning the tie proceeded to penalties.

St Anthony scored all of their five penalties only for Dagoretti to miss their last one to spark wild celebrations amongst the players and fans at large.

St Anthony skipper Tyson Kapchangwa said their victory is a dream they have been chasing for long.

“Am so happy for the victory, and I thank all my teammates for making this a reality. The coaching staff and our principal have been very supportive to us, and I feel their efforts made us more ready for the championships.” He told Citizen Digital.

Having started playing for the team in 2016, he feels their title triumph is a culmination of their hard work and dedication.

“We have fought to become champions. Upper Hill knocked us out in 2017, and also Olbolosat kicked us out last year.

“That’s why we were more focused to win this edition.” He added.

He has rallied Kenyans to have faith in them as they embark on an arduous expedition of winning the East African regional champions slated for Arusha later this month.

We promise to win the east African championships for the second time. Kenyans should have faith in us to do the job.

St Anthony Kitale principal Victor Omondi Makanda praised his getting the job done.

“First of all, we thank God for the victory. It was hard, but He stood by us.

“Technically, we are a good team, and it is only a shame that we have not won the national title for the last six years. However, we have finally achieved that.” He said.

Having won the inaugural East Africa games, Mr. Omondi has reiterated that they intend to reclaim the title, given the proper preparations they have had.

“We want the first championship, and I will be lying to you if I said we are not in it to win.” He asserted.”

Despite losing the final game, Dagoretti high will bow out on a high having gone one better from last year’s performances.

They will also join St Anthony in representing Kenya in the regional games later this month.

2019 KSSSA Collated Results

Soccer Boys under 20

Playoff: Ebwali 3 vs 0 Olbolsat

Final: St. Anthony’s 0 (5) vs 0 (4) Dagoreti

Soccer Girls under 20

Playoff: Arch Bishop Njenga 7 vs 1 Njabini

Final: Nyakach 2 vs 0 Itigo

Copa Soccer Boys Under 16

Playoff: Dagoreti 0 (4) vs 0 (2) Boys Town

Final: Serani 1 vs 0 Koyonzo

Copa Soccer Girls Under 16

Playoff: Kobala 1 vs 0 Njambini

Final: Wiyeta 2 vs 1 Maeni

Volleyball Boys

Playoff: Namwela  3 vs 0 Lang’ata (25-20, 25-23 ,25-17)

Final: Mogonga 3 vs 0 Lelmokwo (25-15, 25-19, 25-13)

Volleyball Girls

Playoff: Pasenga 0 vs 3 Soweto (16-25, 12-25, 13-25)

Final: Cheptil 2 vs 3 Kwanthanze (26-24, 13-25, 22-25, 25-18, 05-15)

Netball Girls

Playoff: Bukokholo 37 vs 28 Karuri

Final: Nyakach 30 vs 36 Kaya Tiwi

Tags:

St Anthony Kitale Dagoretti High

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