NYERI, Kenya, Nov 21 – Homabay County have set up a mouth-watering boys’ final against Uasin Gishu on the closing day of the play-off tournament of the Talanta Hela Under-19 tournament in Nyeri.
Homabay saw off Kirinyaga 2-0, while Uasin Gishu were 3-1 winners over Nakuru, the latter having won in their appeal case against Kakamega.
The final will be played Wednesday afternoon at the Moi Complex Primary, with Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba expected to grace the duel.
Homabay have been a joy to watch and have played with class and finesse, and their semis win over Kirinyaga was nothing different.
Tournament top scorer Geoffrey Omondi was in a class of his own once again, scoring both goals to take his tally to eight.
“Yesterday they (Kirinyaga) were talking too much and saying they would stop us. We just had to prove them wrong. We want to go all the way and win the final. As a team we are motivated and we know we have the ability to do it,” said brace hero Omondi.
Tough conditions to play in
His sentiments were shared by coach George ‘Sonko’ Omondi.
“I am happy with how we played today. The conditions (wet and slippery) were very tough but we managed to win. It was a great effort. We face Uasin Gishu in the final and I believe they will be a tough opponent,” said the tactician.
Homabay should have won the game by an even bigger margin on the balance of the chances they created and missed.
They had already hit the post twice inside the first 12 minutes, Bernard Otieno’s long ranger and Moses Omondi’s freekick both coming off the woodwork.
They got their goal in the 21st minute when Omondi’s run from deep was picked out with a cross from the left, the burly left footed forward thumping home unmarked.
Immediately, skipper Cecil Miller wasted a glorious chance when Omondi squared the ball to him inside the box, but his effort was blocked by the enterprising keeper Brian ‘Matasi’ Njeru.
In the second half, they needed just six minutes to double their tally, Omondi scoring with a beautiful curling effort.
Uasin Gishu too strong for Nakuru
In the other semi, Uasin Gishu also remained unbeaten, with a professional performance against Nakuru.
David Nganga broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, a lead they took to the break. Five minutes into the second half, Owenfred Njiru scored the second, but they were stunned with Nakuru’s Joseph Ndungu sounding an immediate response.
The goal brought some nerves as the Rift Valley county boys pushed in to equalize.
Uasin Gishu however put the game to bed in the 89th minute through Samson Maina.
They now await a spicy date against Homabay, and coach Fred Owino says they are ready for the task ahead.
“My boys are very funny. During tough matches, they wake up and become tougher. I know it is going to be tough, but we are ready for them,” said the tactician.
His sentiments are echoed by keeper Anthony Aguvana. “They have a pair of legs we also have a pair. We will go into the pitch and battle. We also believe in ourselves and we will show it on the pitch,” he noted.
