In Pool B matches in the ongoing Airtel Rising Stars Secondary Schools Term Two B National Games in Kisumu, Nzoia region representatives Bukembe and their counterparts from Lake Region Barding stormed in the semifinals after picking important points against Cheptenye and Kathungi respectively.
Bukembe humiliated Cheptenye 5-0 through Victor Omondi who bagged a brace while Wycliffe Wanyonyi had a brace.
Barding squandered a two goal lead to draw 2-2 against Kathungi in a match staged at Moi stadium.
Boys’ football champions Passenga Secondary came from a goal down for the second time to snatch a one all draw against last year’s finalist Laiser Hill and all together sealed a semifinal slot in the games.
Lethal striker Peter Kinyanjui struck in the 32nd minute to give the Metropolitan side the lead in the match staged at Kisumu Boys but his namesake James Kinyanjui cancelled out four minutes later through a controversial penalty awarded by KPL referee Moses Osano.
The champions finished second in Pool B with five points, two behind their rivals.
Passenga snatched a point in similar fashion in their second march against Green Palm on Wednesday.
In the other match of the pool, Green Palm thrashed Subunley 2-0 with both teams bowing out.
“I think the centre referee (Osano) gave them a soft penalty. We missed three of our players because of injury and I hope we will be able to have two in our next match. We are focusing on qualifying for the final,” said Laiser Hill coach Anthony Kirimi.
Champs Passenga will now entertain Barding at Moi stadium while Bukembe clash with Laiser Hill at Kisumu Day.
In girls’ football defending champions Wiyeta (Nzoia) made it three wins out of three after brushing aside St. John Kaloleni (Coastal) 2-0 in their final match of Pool B.
Stella Anyango danced her way past St. Johns defence for the opener after two minutes of play while Maureen Khalasi stretched their lead in the 15th minutes.
Sindo humbled Itigo 1-0 in another match of the pool.
A 2-2 draw in a match pitting Lake Regions’ Nyakach and Nginda from Aberdare booked them a semifinal in the last pool A encounter.
Nginda plays St Johns at Kisumu Day, while Nyakach face acid test against Wiyeta at Moi stadium.