Kwanthanze, Matiliku reign supreme in Eastern School Games

In the feisty football final which lasted around 150 minutes, Matiliku had the last laugh triumphing 5-4 in a post-match shootout after the showdown ended 2-2 in regulation and extra time as the Makueni County based team tossed to their maiden Eastern region football title.

Matiliku, who were facing the hosts for the second time after romping to a 2-0 victory in pool B final fixture on Friday, kept their composure to weather early pressure from the home side before killing the first half off with two clinical strikes.

The hosts then pulled one back before half-time and then scored from the spot in the second half to make it 2-2 but both sides were unable to break the deadlock in the extra-time as the well attended final headed to a squeaky bum time.

In the dramatic penalty shootout, Robert Mutie scored the decisive fifth spot-kick to hand Matiliku their first football glory as Machakos School lost the second Eastern region football final - in back-to-back years.

Principal Johnstone Ndivo, who has been the catalyst for the team’s upturn in form since he joined the school in 2017, attributed their success to discipline and exposure warning previous national giants to prepare for a tough battle adding that the unheralded teams are ready to rewrite history.

“We’ve instilled discipline to the squad and this has helped us shape the players towards becoming top footballers. We have been playing build up matches since the start of the year and this is why we did not fear Machakos School because we’ve played against them several times in tournaments,” he said.

In football girl's, Mbitini Girls of Kitui were crowned new champions after they narrowly defeated determined Makueni’s Ikalyoni 2-1 in the extra time after the final ended 1-1 in regulation time.

In volleyball, peerless Kwanthanze from Machakos County defeated Ilika Girls of Kitui County 3-0 (25-9, 25-5, 25-10) to win their record-extending seventh Eastern region crown.

The five-time East African champions are yet to drop any set since the start of the Term Two Games last month and head coach Justin Kigwari has his sights firmly set on going all the way to defend all the inter-schools volleyball titles this year with nationals now his next stop.

“The team is improving as the championship enters tough stages and we will not underrate anyone in the next level as we eye to defend our title in Kakamega. Our opponents gave us a good challenge despite us not dropping any set and we are now going back to our training ahead of the next challenge,” said Kigwari.

In the corresponding volleyball boys, fast-rising Tumaini Secondary School of Makueni were crowned champions after silencing Kitui’s Gankanga in straight sets.

In netball, Syumile Secondary School of Makueni recaptured the title they last won in 2019 whitewashing newbies Mwangala Secondary School of Kitui 79-09 in the final.

Syumile coach Joseph Makau, who is also the national women’s netball head coach, said he had already shifted his focus to the national stage in Kakamega from August 6-14.

Lukenya School of Machakos retained their basketball 3x3 title after defeating Makueni’s Mbooni Boys 21-09 while Tala Girls emerged new champions in the girl’s category with a 16-13 victory over Mbitini Girls of Kitui.

In rugby 7s, Kitondo School of Makueni stunned former champions Kangaru School 24-05 in the final to emerge new champions.