Nyanza schools throw down gauntlet ahead of national games

After retaining the Nyanza secondary schools boys' football title, Kisumu Day are now targeting the national trophy.

Kisumu Day edged a well-drilled Agoro Sare 2-0 at Kisii School Duncan Odhiambo's first-half brace.

Kisumu Day games master Booker Odhiambo said: “We have a very good team and I’m confident we shall play in the final at the national championships."

“Our target is to represent the country at the East Africa secondary school games in Arusha, Tanzania.”

He singled out Odhiambo, goalkeeper Tom Onyango and midfielder Veron Ombika for their outstanding performance during the three-day championship.

Odhiambo is a younger brother to Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla. The final was moved to Kisii School from Asumbi due to crowd trouble during the semi-final between Agoro Sare and Kanga School.

 The nationals will be staged in Nakuru between September 8 and 13.  Nyanza region basketball champions Onjiko Boys coach Gordon Ogutu also sent a warning to rivals ahead of the nationals.

“We won the Nyanza title on our debut and we are going to Nakuru for the national trophy. Teams should know that a new powerhouse in Nyanza basketball has emerged. We have taken over and we want to dominate schools basketball,” said Ogutu after his side beat outgoing champions Agoro Sare 82-51. Ogutu coaches the team alongside principal Joseph Were.

Agoro Sare principal James Momanyi vowed that his school will bounce back next year.

“We lost fairly to Onjiko and I want to congratulate them. However, we are going back to the drawing board. We shall bounce back next year,” said Momanyi.

Girls’ basketball champions Ototo School will also be making their debut at the nationals.

“There is no time to relax. We had weaknesses in our defence and shooting. That is what I will work on ahead of the nationals. Our aim is to qualify for the East Africa championships,” said coach and principal Clement Nyakinda. Ototo saw off 2019 champions Bar-Chando 68-35 to claim the title.

Other schools which will represent Nyanza at the nationals are Nyakongo Secondary (girls’ volleyball), St Joseph’s Kisumu (boys’ volleyball), Nyakach Girls (girls’ 3on3 basketball), St Mary’s Yala (boys' 3on3 basketball), Nyamira Girls (hockey), Kisumu Day (hockey), Kakrao (girls’ handball), Manyatta (boys’ handball) St Mary’s Yala and Nduru Boys (rugby 7’s).

Nyamira Girls hockey coach Eliakim Obondo said they will target to play in the final in Nakuru.

“In 2019, we finished third. This time, we want to play in the finals and if things go as per our plan lift the national title,” said Obondo. Nyamira Girls beat former champions Sinyolo 2-1 in the finals.

After losing in eight finals in the last 12 editions, Kobala were lucky this time round after emphatically beating Nyakach 57-32 to lift the title.

“Finally, we ended the losing streak. It is very painful to lose in eight finals. I’m happy we have finally broken the jinx,” said an emotional George Adoyo, the Kobala coach.