Kesogon Stuns Kwanthanze, Butere Dethrones Wiyeta at School Games 2023
African volleyball champions Kwanthanze Secondary School and eight-time football champions Wiyeta Girls surrendered their national titles at the 2023 National Secondary Schools Term Two Games in Kakamega on Friday, as new winners emerged.
Kesogon of Rift Valley defeated Kwanthanze in the volleyball girl’s final, 3-1, to win their first national championship and halt the East Africa champions’ charge, while Butere Girls of Western ended Wiyeta’s eight-year dominance in the football girl’s final, 1-0.
Kesogon, so frequently bullied by the volleyball heavyweights, rose from the mat and knocked Kwanthanze off their feet with a massive uppercut that sent shockwaves through the crowd, winning in sets of 25-19, 15-25, 22-25, and 25-21 to exact revenge on the six-time champions who defeated them with the same score line in last year’s final held in Nakuru.
Kwanthanze, who won this year’s Africa Secondary School Games, aimed for their fifth consecutive national championship and seventh overall.
The Machakos-based team won their first championship in 2013, and their dominance has since extended to the East African stage, where they have won six championships.
The two teams are expected to renew their rivalry next week in Huye, Rwanda, during the East Africa Secondary Schools Games. Soweto and Mwitoti, who finished third and fourth in the girls’ volleyball competition, will also represent the nation.
As the defending champions in both the boys’ and girls’ East African championships, Kenya will field four teams in each category.
In the football girls final conducted at Bukhungu Stadium, Judith Okumu’s lone first-half goal was sufficient to deny Wiyeta a record-breaking ninth title.
Joy Angela Valencia, the leader of The Red Commandos’ attack, wreaked devastation in Wiyeta’s 18-yard box, resulting in a penalty kick for Butere Girls.
In the 25th minute, Judith Okumu methodically converted a penalty kick to give Red Commandos their first championship since 2014.
Butere’s resolute defense kept Wiyeta’s attackers at bay, and goalkeeper Christine Adhiambo performed admirably to guarantee the team’s victory.
Howard Shikanga, the team’s head coach, lauded his players for their hard-fought victory that allowed them to cruise through East Africa.
“We are thrilled to achieve this championship. We fought for it, and we have earned the win. Our concentration has shifted to East Africa, said Shikanga.
Madira Soccer Assassins defeated Dagoretti Mixed by a score of 1-0 to finish third and earn a bronze medal in their debut appearance. In addition, they secured Kenya’s final female football spot for the regional competition.
Oyugi Oyango of Nyanza defeated Bukokholo of Western 54-40 to claim their first netball championship.
Kesogon Stuns Kwanthanze, Butere Dethrones Wiyeta at School Games 2023
