Big names to miss schools' soccer nationals

Last year’s runners up Upper Hill from Nairobi and Coast representatives Tononoka high school are tipped to win this year’s Airtel Rising Stars following the ouster of “big names” at the preliminary stages.

Upper Hill were forced to dig dip before edging newcomers Laiser Hill in the tough Metropolitan finals played at Makindu High School. Upper Hill will be looking to clinch the national title for the first time after losing to St Anthony in Mombasa last year. Mombasa’s Tononoka will take a stab at the title for the third consecutive year after defeating compatriots Sacred Heart in a tough encounter played in Malindi. The coastal lads will bank heavily on the experience gathered over the last two editions to mount a serious challenge.

For the first time, Western province will be conspicuously absent from the finals after Chavakali High School failed to go past Kapenguria Boys in the Nzoia region finals. The new region which merged Western and North rift regions proved to be the most competitive with former champions Kakamega High School being locked out at the county finals. Kapenguria capitalized on home ground advantage to seal the hotly contested ticket.

Pre-tournament favorites Gekomoni surrendered the Lake region title to Wera Mixed from Siaya in a lively contest staged at Ambira secondary. After winning the national finals two years ago on their debut, Gekomoni’s fortunes have since been on the decline as the lads from Nyamira failed to go past the preliminary stages last year.

Tetu High School will be hoping to shake the also-runs tag when they represent the Aberdare region following a hard-labored win over Pasenga Secondary. Another debutant to watch will be Kipchimchim secondary who will be flying the Rift Valley flag after beating Kamungei Secondary.