A packed Mpesa Foundation Academy grounds provided the perfect backdrop for another thrilling afternoon of football at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Games as record champions Kakamega School sent out an early warning to their title rivals with a commanding 3-0 victory over North Eastern champions Takaba Secondary School.Meanwhile, Eastern champions Tumaini announced themselves in ruthless fashion with a 6-1 demolition of St. Philip Baricho.Despite heightened security checks at the gates, fans streamed into the venue in large numbers and filled the stands to capacity.##NAJAVA_MECA_9851784##They created an electric atmosphere that inspired the players from the opening whistle.Kakamega, chasing yet another national crown, wasted no time in stamping their authority on the contest.The Western champions exploded out of the blocks and found the back of the net inside the opening 10 seconds through Derrick Wanyonyi, leaving Takaba stunned before they had barely settled into the game.The early strike set the tone as Enock Luche's charges swarmed forward in wave after wave of attack, pinning the North Eastern side deep inside their own half.Just two minutes later, Wanyonyi nearly doubled the advantage after a sweeping move that started from the back, with Kenya Under 17 utility player Julius Ochieng stretching the play down the flank before delivering a dangerous ball into the area.However, Takaba goalkeeper Ahmed Mohamud read the danger brilliantly, racing off his line to smother the chance and keep his side alive.Takaba gradually found their footing and nearly fashioned a response when Ashraf Kalo dispossessed a Kakamega defender in a dangerous area before weaving past several challenges into the penalty area.Harambee Stars defender suffers injury blow in EnglandWith the goal at his mercy, the forward hesitated for a split second, allowing recovering defenders to crowd him out before his eventual effort trickled wide for a corner that yielded nothing.Kakamega continued to dictate proceedings, with Macklin Adika causing constant problems from the left flank.In the 12th minute, the winger burst beyond his marker but lost his footing at the crucial moment, allowing Takaba to recover possession.Moments later, the Green Commandos felt they should have been awarded a penalty after one of their attackers went down inside the area, but the centre referee waved away the appeals.The pressure refused to ease as Adika, Ochieng and Wanyonyi stretched the Takaba backline from every angle.STARS ABROAD: Wanjala, Obiero and Harper feature in pre-season friendliesTheir persistence was rewarded in the 30th minute when Michael Okoth won a penalty after being brought down inside the box.Up stepped Julius Ochieng, better known in school football circles as Agwambo, who calmly converted despite Ahmed Mohamud getting a strong hand to the ball.With a two goal cushion, Kakamega began to play with confidence, moving the ball from one end of the pitch to the other with crisp passing that left Takaba chasing shadows.Their dominance produced another goal on the stroke of half time when Agwambo dazzled the crowd with a moment of individual brilliance.##NAJAVA_MECA_9872547##The Kenya Under 17 star skipped past two defenders, rounded the advancing goalkeeper and calmly rolled the ball into an empty net to complete his brace and hand Kakamega a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break.The second half resumed in much the same fashion, with Agwambo immediately forcing three successive corners as Kakamega searched for a fourth.One of those set pieces sparked a rare Takaba counter attack through Ibrahim Omar, but the move fizzled out as the forward lacked support, allowing Kakamega to quickly regain control.Takaba created their best opportunity five minutes after the restart when Adan Bonaya found space on the edge of the area, only for his effort to drift harmlessly into the hands of Kenya Under 17 goalkeeper Georgina Chris.It summed up a frustrating afternoon for Ngeera Huranira's side, who struggled to maintain possession whenever they ventured forward.KCB raid Shabana for experienced Congolese attackerSensing the game slipping away, Huranira introduced Abdinasir Omar in search of fresh energy in attack before later throwing on Adan Omar Seyid in midfield for Yahya Adan Hassan.Kakamega also refreshed their side, with coach Luche introducing Derrick Muchiti in place of Anthony Onyango before Daniel Ombati and James Mulwa replaced Wanyonyi and Michael Okoth.The substitutions briefly changed the rhythm of the contest, and Takaba even had to battle through a difficult spell when two players received treatment for minor injuries, leaving them with nine men for nearly three minutes.Even so, the North Eastern champions refused to surrender, creating a handful of late chances that forced Georgina Chris into action.At the other end, Ahmed Mohamud continued to enhance his reputation despite the scoreline.The Takaba goalkeeper produced a string of impressive saves to deny Wanyonyi, Agwambo and Brighton Nacheri, who came closest to adding a fourth when his thunderous long range strike flew inches over the crossbar.Mozzart Bet boosts Songeto FC’s mission to keep learners in school through footballKakamega continued to bombard the Takaba penalty area with attack after attack, but the fourth goal proved elusive as several dangerous deliveries were turned behind for corners.Speaking after the final whistle, a delighted Luche praised his players for making the perfect start to the tournament."We are happy to win our first game of the nationals because it is always important to win the first game of the competition," said the Kakamega School coach.##NAJAVA_MECA_9876028##In the day's other Group B fixture played simultaneously at Pitch B, Eastern champions Tumaini Secondary School produced the biggest statement of the opening round after thrashing St. Philip Baricho 6-1.The emphatic victory sent Tumaini to the top of the standings on goal difference and showed their credentials as genuine contenders for this year's national title.
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