All of the Suba Lakers Primary School girls were highly involved with the Primary School Ball-games over the past month. Through watching the ball-games, club officials were also able to identify some other young, talented girls that will be able to start training with the club to develop their talents.
In the Homabay County tournament, the Mbita team included Suba Lakers Siska Verah, Mourine Owiti, Felistas Atieno and Florence Wangoi and were coached by Paul Diela and Dave Gombe. This team was a force to be reckoned with. In the first game the Mbita team won 1-0 on a goal from Siska and then drew 0-0 with Ndhiwa which featured Suba Laker defender Lencer Adoyo. Mbita topped the group and entered the semifinals against Rachuonyo North. Mbita led 1-0 after another goal from Siska Verah. They kept the lead until 4 minutes before the final whistle when Rachuonyo equalized on a debatable non-call from an off-sides position. Unfortunately the Mbita team lost in the penalty shoot-out to get knocked out.
All five of the Suba Lakers were selected to proceed to the Regional Championships including Siska, Florence, Mourine, Felistas and Lencer. The team was strong but got placed in the group of death with Kisumu and Kisii who were both looking for revenge from last year. The Homabay team dropped the first game to a strong Kisumu team 2-0 and then drew with Kisii 0-0. On goal differential, the Homabay team was knocked out and not able to defend its title from last year.
Even though they were knocked out early, two Suba Lakers were still chosen for the Regional team who competed in the National Finals in Machakos. Lencer Adoyo and Felistas Atieno (Apeto) had the privilege of playing at Nationals for the Lake Region team. Lencer was a part of the team last year that won Nationals for the first time ever. Apeto will be at Nationals for her first time.
In the National tournament, the Lake Region team was determined to defend their title from last year. They got off to a strong start by beating Aberdares 2-0 before getting shutout by powerhouse Nzoia (Western) 1-0. In their final pool game they qualified for the semifinals by beating Coast 1-0 and finishing 2nd in the pool behind Nzoia.
The semifinals were a rematch of last year’s Championship game between Lake Region and Metropolitan (Nairobi). Just like last year, the game came down to a post-game penalty shootout. And again, like last year, Lake Region prevailed!
In the Finals, Lake Region was matched up with the only team that beat them this year, Nzoia. They are a powerhouse in Girl’s Football, usually winning the secondary schools title and often the primary schools title also. Just like four year ago, Nzoi defeated Lake Region in the Finals 1-0. It was a tough match and both teams shined brightly.
We are proud of Lencer, Apeto and the Lake Region girls for once again reaching the National Finals for the 4th time in the past 5 years.
Congrats to our Laker girls and the entire Lake Region Team! It has been a great season!
