There was no room for mistake as teams sailed to the semi-finals of the Rift Valley Secondary School Sports Association games in Eldoret.
West Pokot’s Nasokol Girls and Trinity from Nakuru are among teams that triumphed in the quarter finals of girls’ football contest.
Nasokol beat Baringo’s Mogotio 4-1 in the quarter finals showdown played on day two at Hill School.
The Rift Valley matches were momentarily disrupted and delayed due to heavy rainfall in Eldoret, but that did not dampen the spirit of the regional contests.
Nasokol dominated the first half of the girls’ football match with three goals before adding one more goal in the second half.
Mogotio was the first to score in the second half.
They are facing Trinity, who are missing three players. The trio of the Nakuru County team is reportedly missing in the games’ registration portal and were forced to field only eight players. Despite being three girls less, Trinity defeated Olmelil 2-0 in the quarter finals contest.
“Our ambition is to be the Rift Valley champions. We are looking to improve our striking power because our opponents are good,” said Nasokol captain Naomi Mokeira.
The semi-final will be a rematch between Nasokol and Trinity two years after they faced off at the semis of the 2023 games. Nasokol won 5-0 in the 2023 match.
Coach Lydia Nekesa said playing eight-girl Mogotio will not be underrated by her side.
In the girls’ volleyball, national champions Kesogon of Trans Nzoia easily sailed to the semi-finals after beating Iraa Girls from Kericho 3-0.
Kesogon, who are aiming to lift the gong once again in this year’s national games, stood tall, stopping Iraa from scoring above ten points in each set. They won 25-9, 25-8 and 25-3 in the best-of-three.
They thrashed Ruth Kiptui from Baringo 3-0 (25-12, 25-13 and 25-15) in their opening match on Wednesday.
Wiyeta and St Joseph’s Boys met in the another quarterfinal.