Kakrao Mixed, Manyatta vow to pull handball surpises

Newly crowned Nyanza handball champions Kakrao Mixed (girls) and Manyatta (boys)are bullish ahead of the National Secondary Schools' Term Two Games starting on Friday in Nakuru.

Little-known Kakrao beat the odds to excel at the county and regional levels. During the regionals, Kakrao shocked the favourite Miranga 28-18. They have not lost a game from the sub-county level.

Kakrao from Migori County will play St Joseph’s Kitale, Nyathuna and Dungicha from Coast in Pool ‘B’ at the nationals. 

“All the teams in that group are beatable and I can assure you we will be in the semifinals. From there, we shall take one game at a time,” said  Kakrao’s head coach Otieno Oloo.

He cited Linda Asembo and Perita Khalwele as the team’s best players in the campaign so far.

Oloo added: “We want to play in the final as we seek to qualify for the  East Africa Games in Arusha, Tanzania,” said Oloo, who is also the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Nyanza region chairman.

Nyanza’s representatives in the boys' category Manyatta will also be making their debut at the nationals.

Manyatta upset Rang’ala 30-26 in a nail-biting final during the regionals held at Asumbi Teachers Training College last Saturday.

Manyatta, who are coached by Andrew Owino, are pitted in Pool 'A' alongside Mang’u, Kamito and Furaha Mixed from the North Eastern region.

Owino guided his former school Kanyawanga to the nationals in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2018, Owino helped Kanyawanga reach the semis at the East Africa showpiece.

“We are going for the title. We are underdogs at the nationals but we shall pull a shocker. We are not afraid of any team. I know some teams like Hospital Hill, Mbooni, Mang’u, and Kimilili are experienced but my boys are raring to go,” said a buoyant Owino.

At the same time, the North Eastern region has named teams that will represent the region at the nationals.

The teams that will carry the region’s flag at the national showpiece are Bute Boys (soccer), Kutulo Mixed (volleyball boys), Hon DM Amin (volleyball girls), Furaha Mixed (handball boys), Hon DM Amin (handball girls), Hon DM Amin (netball), Wajir High (basketball boys), Wajir Girls (basketball).

According to KSSSA North Eastern regional secretary Bishar Kala, Wajir High, and Sabunley secondary dominated racquet games.

After the nationals, teams that qualify for the regionals will travel to Namanga where they will camp for two days before heading to Arusha, Tanzania for the regionals.