Talanta Hela U19: All set for finals as Homabay take on Kisumu

It is all systems go as the finals of the Talanta Hela Under 19 national tournament are set to take place at the Nyayo Stadium at 3 pm.

The finals will roll down the curtains of the highly competitive tournament, as well as mark Jamhuri Day.

Busia will meet Kisumu in the ladies' final while Homabay locks horns with Kisumu in the men's category.

In the ladies' category, Homabay County clinched the bronze medal after beating Uasin Gishu County 4-1 in the third-place playoff that was played at the Nyayo Stadium on Monday.

Joy Marvellous, who was diagnosed with malaria, made a remarkable comeback to score a hat trick for Homabay. Princecia Atieno added the other goal for Homabay.

The win saw them walk home with a bronze and Ksh2 million cash reward.

The team's tactician Morris Omoya heaped praises on his charges' efforts throughout the tournament. They will be looking to bounce back stronger next year.

“I am delighted because at least we go home with a medal around our necks. We have learned a lot from this tournament and I am pleased for the girls,” Omoya averred.

Their opponents Uasin Gishu also noted that the team picked the necessary lessons from the tournament.

The team's captain Manda Sunira was confident that they would come back stronger.

“It was a very tough tournament honestly and for us to get to the semis, we are pleased. It has not been easy,” she explained.

Talanta Hela U19: Homabay coach blames player injuries and sickness for semifinal loss

In the men's category, Kisumu County will take on Homabay in a ‘Nyanza Derby’ of the national boys’ final after stunning tournament favorites Vihiga 4-2 on post-match penalties in the semis at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

The winners will pocket a Sh5 million prize purse.

How the pools were decided

The stage for the national finals was set following a draw held by the Ministry of Sports at the Talanta Plaza headquarters in Nairobi, where 16 boys and 16 girls teams were divided into four groups of four, a fortnight after the inter-county playoffs staged at the Moi Complex Primary School in Nyeri.

After group phase two top teams from each group advanced to the round of 16.

Men's Pools

Pool A: Garissa, Kericho, Vihiga, Homabay

Pool B: Nyeri, Baringo, Kisumu, Nyamira.

Pool C: Mombasa, Marsabit, West Pokot, Kirinyaga

Pool D: Kiambu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Makueni

Women's Pools

Pool A: Kakamega, Kwale, Busia, Nandi

Pool B: Wajir, West Pokot, Homabay, Kisii.

Pool C: Nyeri, Samburu, Kisumu, Nairobi

Pool D: Kiambu, Machakos, Uasin Gishu, and Nakuru