10-man Laiser Hill from Metropolitan defeated Lake Region’s Barding 3-1, in post-match penalties and won the football title of the Airtel Rising Stars Secondary Schools Term Two B games that ended in Kisumu yesterday.
Ibrahim Mohammed drew the first blood in 46th minute to give Barding the lead but Geoffrey Ouma equalised for Laiser Hill in the 80th minute from a free kick to send the encounter into extra time.
Sheldon Ouma of Laiser Hill was sent off for second bookable offense minutes before the extras.
With both teams failing to find the target, penalties were the only option to separate the two.
Barding’s Arnold Onyango, Clement Okiring and Ndemi Keagan all missed their spot kicks save for Shem Oluoch while Evans Mutuse, John Macharia and Chris Owino scored for Laiser after Peter Kinyanjui missed the first.
For Laiser Hill, this is an achievement after they lost last years’ final to Passenga while Barding will pick some positives despite being denied the maiden national football title.
Emotional Laiser coach John Mwaura Said, “We were disappointed when we lost last year’s final and I am glad that the boys held their nerve to win, we give credit to our opponents for the good display.”
Football Queens Wiyeta also fell on the last hurdle following a 3-1 drubbing by St John’s Kaloleni from the Coast.
In the thrilling encounter, Nuru Adima capitalised on Wiyeta’s defense lapse in the 20th minute to lash a low drive to the bottom right of Wiyeta custodian Diana Tembesi.
The champions could have leveled two minutes later but Anne Shikonyela’s free kick went over the bar after Stella Onyango was brought down by Purity Karembo minutes before the breather.
On resumption, Wiyeta, now energized, wasted no time to return in the match as Nelly Anyango announced her name in the first minute of restart to level matters.
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However, Elizabeth Katungwa restored their lead eleven minutes later after Wiyeta’s defense failed to clear the ball.
Rampant Katungwa sealed the win in the 65th minute with the third goal, completing her brace.
St John’s captain and Harambee Starlets call up Adam ‘Dogo’ Mwanahalima said, “We are delighted that we have won our first national trophy. We shift focus to the East Africa games which will be very competitive and thus we have to prepare well in advance.
In the play offs, former champions Passenga Boys, consoled themselves with a bronze medal after edging out Nzoia’s Bukembe 3-2 in post-match penalties after a one all draw in regulation time.
Hosts Nyakach Girls missed all their four penalties against Nginda from Aberdare to surrender the third spot after going down 2-0.
The match was decided on lottery after a barren draw in regular time with Nginda missing one spot kick