The Nyanza region reigning champions and the season one national champions, Plateau Queens, alias Nyakach Girls, sailed through to the national finals after silencing Brenda Girls from Bungoma County 5-1 in the Girls’ semifinals held today at Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu County.
Plateau Queens started brightly with Sheryl Awuor opening the scoring in the 6th minute. Emilly Moranga added a second goal for the Nyakach girls in the 16thminute with Swaumu Masungo making it 3-nil a minute later. Moranga scored her second and Plateau’s fourth goal 5 minutes before the break. After the restart Esther Mukhwana pulled a goal back for Brenda Girls in the 49th minute but super-sub Vivian Akinyi sealed the 5-1 victory for Plateau Queens to stay in the hunt for a second national title.
“We are thrilled to have made it to the finals after defeating the Western regional champions, Brenda Girls, in a very tough match. They were very physical, but we managed to cut through their defense. As the season one champions, we are aiming for nothing but the trophy for the second time.” said Chrispine Odindo, Head Coach, Plateau Queens.
Laikipia’s Barcelona Ladies SC had to come back from a goal down to defeat Rift Valley defending champions, Wiyeta Girls 2-1 in a hard-fought semifinal.
After a barren draw in the first half, Edna Wanda opened the scoring in the 46th minute for Wiyeta Girls with Eunice Nabwoba, making a significant impact as a second half substitute. Naomi Masinde equalized for Wiyeta in the 52nd minute but Joseph Wafula’s charges were caught on the counter-attack, allowing Calta Nassambu to dribble and score the winning goal for Barcelona Ladies in the 63rd minute to secure the 2-1 victory.
Coach Odindo’s Plateau Queens had advanced to the semifinals after defeating Changamwe Ladies from Mombasa 2-0, while Barcelona Ladies SC had secured their slot to the semis after thrashing Wajir Queens 18-0.
The two will battle it out for KES 1 million, TVET Scholarships and national supremacy on Sunday at Jomo Kenyatta Mamboleo Stadium.
The boys’ semifinals set for tomorrow Saturday will see Ebwali Boys from Western region lock horns with Rift Valley’s PASC Langa while home team Obunga FC representing Nyanza region battle it out with Mombasa’s Bandari Youth.