Uasin Gishu aiming higher despite Talanta Hela U19 final postponement

Uasin Gishu's Under 19 team is still keeping their hope of winning the National Talanta Hela football tournament alive despite the postponement of the final match to a later date.

The Talanta Hela Under 19 final that was set to be played at the Moi Complex Primary School in Nyeri County on Wednesday 22 November was postponed due to heavy downpours in the area.

The much-anticipated match was set to pit Uasin Gishu and Homabay.

Speaking after arriving in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu coach Fredrick Owino pointed out that the postponement was a blessing in disguise since his charges who are sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) will now be available for the final match.

"We're back in Eldoret. We take a break and we resume serious preparation for nationals. We're glad our players who were sitting for KCSE exams are finishing today and they'll come back and take their positions," Owino told Mozzart Sport.

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With his squad fully bolstered, he assured Uasin Gishu residents that his charges would bring the coveted trophy home. He was also grateful to the devolved unit for their support towards the sport.

"We're going to put up a great fight at the national finals so that we can bring the trophy back. We would like to give this promise to the residents of Uasin Gishu and to our fans," he vowed.

To proceed to the final stage, the Uasin Gishu had seen off Nakuru 3-1 while Homabay's performance was decisive to see them secure a two-goal lead over Kirinyaga.

David Nganga scored for Uasin Gishu in the 20th minute, the only goal scored in the opening half. In the final half, Owenfred Njiru scored the second, before Nakuru's Joseph Ndungu responded with their sole goal. Samson Maina then joined the scores with the final goal.

The final football matches were to determine the eight teams that would participate in the National Talanta Hela football tournament.

The gaffer who also leads PASC Langa FC was also proud of his charges' fighting spirit in their playoff match against Nakuru. Pasc Langa were recently crowned the New Rift Valley Chapa Dimba na Safaricom champions.

Owino insisted that football talent was at the grassroots level.

"When making his closing remarks, CS Ababu Namwamba acknowledged that two counties have surprised many since they're not known to be havens of soccer: Uasin Gishu and Mandera indicating that indeed talents are at the grassroots level," he averred.

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Owino also refused to be carried away with their win against Nakuru, noting that it motivated them to come back stronger.

"During the just concluded Talanta Hela playoffs we've also learned much, we had our weak points that we must correct to be comfortably sure of winning the nationals. We expect other teams to be strong but stronger we will be," he concluded.

Earlier on Wednesday, Kirinyaga County Boys took third place in the playoff after scoring two goals against Nakuru Boys. In the girl's category, Uasin Gishu saw off Machakos 3-2 in the week-long sporting action that attracted 21 teams (both girls and boys) from 18 counties.