Reigning champions St Joseph’s Girls High School Kitale yesterday edged out compatriots Friends School Tigoi 3-2 to close in on their second East Africa trophy.
It was sweet revenge for St Joseph’s (JOGA) as they returned the favour to Tigoi who had beaten them by the same margin in the national final hence denying them the trophy.
The victory saw JOGA stretch their lead to 13 points, three more than Tigoi who are second. Uganda’s Kakungulu Memorial are third tied on nine points with Ng’iya Girls.
Kakugulu, who are looking to recapture the trophy they last won in 2022, beat fellow Ugandans Bweranyangi 4-1 to leap into the top three.
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The former champions pushed rookies Ng’iya out of the medal bracket due to a superior goal difference.
Ng’iya have had a fair run and remain unbeaten but have dropped points in draws against their peers JOGA, Tigoi and Mwiki Secondary School.
Their tie against Mwiki ended in a barren draw. Kenyans still have a chance of elbowing Kakungulu off the podium if they win their remaining matches.
Defending champions JOGA, who are also unbeaten, are in a pole position but they must win against Uganda’s Bweranyangi today and Kakungulu tomorrow to firm grip on their title.
Tigoi on the other hand are still in the race for the gold medal but their fate is solely dependent on the outcome of St joseph’s matches.
In the boys’ title hunt, Kenyans must work harder to dislodge two-time winners Kakungulu from the top of the table.
Kakungulu top the table with 13 points, two more than second placed St Charles Lwanga and St Anthony’s Boys High School Kitale who are tied on 11 points but separated by a superior goal difference.
In basketball, the going got tough for Kenyans who had started well as they tumbled allowing their guests to dominate the proceedings.
National champions Butere Girls, 2016 East Africa winners Kaya Tiwi and Olympic High School were all knocked out of the title race.
JOGA are the only Kenyan girls’ basketball team with hopes of advancing to the semi-finals.