Laiser Hills Aggrey Sajera against Passenga in action.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 13- Laiser Hill Academy will launch their campaign for a second consecutive Metropolitan Region boys’ football title against Machakos’ Muvuti when the Kenya Secondary School term 2B ball games kick off on Thursday morning at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
Laiser Hill will be counting on their experience playing in the Kajiado County League where they are currently placed third in the 15-team league to push for a second title and coach Antony Kirimi remains confident they can replicate their performance from last year.
Speaking to Capital Sport, Kirimi says he expects a stiff challenge and has called on his charges to put their best foot forward from the first game.
“Playing in the County League has been of great help for us because we have built cohesion as a team and gained considerable experience and match fitness. I believe this will be vital for us but all the same we expect stiff competition,” Kirimi said.
Laiser will not be as strong as they were last year when they beat Upper Hill on post-match penalties to win the Metropolitan title with several of their key players having left.
Goalkeeper Samuel Wanjema, who was the shoot-out hero last year, as well as midfielder John Macharia and Alwyn Chamla have all completed school.
Macharia has since joined second tier side Kariobangi Sharks while Chamla is in Georgia having signed with FC Saburtalohas.
However, the Kajiado champions will be looking on the experience gathered by three of their players who were part of the Harambee Stars under-20 team.
Musa Masika, younger brother to Harambee Stars winger Ayub Timbe will be the key figure around Laiser side but they will also have support from Kennedy Owino and David Owino, who were also in John Kamau’s under-20 team.
“I am hoping they will have some influence in the team because they have had high level training with top coaches. But our strength has always been on team work and I believe that will be our strong point,” Kirimi added.
He expects competition from perennial rivals Upper Hill as well as Machakos side Utithi who were winners of the term 2A under-15 games.
Laiser, who have produced some of the country’s finest footballers including Sweden based forward Michael Olunga, will be out seeking revenge with coach and school Principal Peter Orero confident his boys can do it.
Kwanthanze 2015 Volleyball champions./PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
Competition will not only be expected on the football pitch but on the volleyball court as well.
Defending champions and perennial winners Kwanthanze, who have dominated over the last five years, will open up their campaign against Kajiado’s Noonkopir while the boys champions Hospital Hill serves off first against Oloitoktok Boys High School.
Kwanthanze, the regional, national and East African champions coached by Justine Kigwiri will be hoping to keep their status as the undisputed women’s volleyball champions.
Coach Justine Kigwiri though does not expect an easy ride but he keeps faith in his girls for safe passage to the national championships.
