Saints fight back to hold EA queens Kwale

Kwale Girls, the 2018 East and central Africa football champions had a slow start in their quest to defend their coast region supremacy as they were held 1-1 by arch rivals St John’s Kaloneni.

The Mukasa Amboko coached side opened the scoring from the spot after what looked to be a foul which convinced the referee to give Kwale a chance and the young side did not squander it.

St John’s put matters lever 9 minutes after the breather;scoring a beautiful free-kick that sent Kwale’s goalie the wrong way.

It was more of a physical game rather tactically but St John’s head coach Joseph Oyoo aimed a jig to Kwale’s tactician Amboko,saying this was the first time seeing the reigning champions ‘play real football’.

Speaking to Citizen Digital ,Oyoo said her side is keen to bring back the glory days of the side who were last crowned the champions of the region three years ago.

‘‘ One game at a time. We are taking each game with a lot of seriousness. Every game is a final to us and we want to be in the finals. Honestly, today there was some football from them(Kwale),It was 50-50 I can say but we are now focused to the next one,” Oyoo said.

On the other hand, Amboko showed satisfaction with the point noting that it has always been difficult to play St John’s.

“Our aim was not to lose this game. I already told my girls that we should come out with something in this match and am happy they’ve done it brilliantly.We still have more matches to play but so far so good.”  Amboko told Citizen Digital.

Tha battle for the girls championships is expected to be between these two sides as they have been dominating the region for quite some time now.

Kwale play Tana River’s Ngao in their next assignment whereas St John’s go head to head with Mama Ngina.

Earlier, the Under 20 defending Champions Shimba Hills of Kwale plotted their title defence in a style after thrashing Mariakani 5-2 as the two sides locked horns in the ongoing coast region ball games in Malindi High School.

Shimba Hills were ruthless and they scored three quick fire goals inside the first ten minutes thankis to well taken goals from Bakari Jenga and Said Msaji who scored a brace.

Mariakani pulled one back before half time through Sadam Roa but just after the breather Shimba got their fourth and fifth through Jenga and a tap in from Juma Ali. Mariakani’s Roa completed hi brace five minutes before time but it was not enough to salvage even a point.

Shimba Hills head coach Ali Mwachaunga told Citizen Digital that he is confident of defending his title but also wary of Kaya Tiwi who on their side threw a 2-0 lead over Mombasa’s Serani to earn a 2-2 draw in another entertaining clash.

“ We played so well in the first 30 minutes but my boys relaxed and that’s when we lost control and allowed them to come back in the game. I am happy we’ve won and I just want to make sure we win our next match. We are aware Kaya Tiwi are a well organized side but we play one after the other.”Said Mwachaunga.

Kilifi’s ACK C.Mweri were held 1-1 by Tana River based side Hola boys whereas in the under 16 boy’s category Lutsangani defeated Serani of Mombasa 2-0 while Mama Ngina of Mombasa were helpless as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat from Katana Ngala.

Shimba Hills will play Lake Kenyatta of Lamu in their match day two whil Kaya Tiwi have a date with ACK C. Mweri as both sides will be looking for a win having been held in their first assignments.