A clash between the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association Term Two Games and the Council for East and Central Africa Association Under-18 Championships could complicate national coach Beldine Odemba's preparations for the Cecafa tournament.
While releasing her provisional squad on Monday, Odemba named a team dominated by secondary school-going students, who are set to represent their various institutions as the school games start at the zonal level on Wednesday next week while the Cecafa tournament is set to kick off on June 24 in Nairobi.
Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) runners-up Wiyeta dominates the squad with five players including striker Edna Wanda, Sheila Adonga (midfielder), Lorine Ilavunga (defender), Sharon Omwangale (defender) and goalkeeper Velma Auma.
Wiyeta head coach Edgar Manyara said the five are key to his regional title defence and will not release them.
“This is the best way of marketing our students’ talents in football but it has come at the wrong time. As a teacher and a coach, I feel so happy that I have players good enough for national duty but it will pose a challenge to release them,” said Manyara.
He said the players are set for national team camp on Thursday and could be away for a month, a time in which the school championship will have entered the regional level.
“These are my first team players and I must agree that the Cecafa organisers did not factor in the school games. Their timing is bad. The coach (Odemba) came to the school and we discussed some of these issues,” he said.
He alleged that more schools, especially from western Kenya, have vowed not to release their players.
“We have tried to talk to some other schools, especially in Western, where the championships have started, but they have insisted they will not release their players," said Manyara.
"Here in Trans Nzoia, many schools have put up spirited efforts to play all the way to the East Africa Championships, and missing such key players mean they could bow out at the zonal."
"We have prepared our students mentally, physically and emotionally for the school games,” he said, adding that they are still having discussions with the school management on the way forward.
“Yes, these students may get scholarships if they play for the national team but as a school, we still have an obligation since we are giving them everything; from education to sports,” he added.
Under 18 provisional squad
Keepers: Christine Omolo (Butere Girls), Scovia Awuor (Kobala Secondary), Terry Okova (Mogunga Girls), Velma Auma (Wiyeta Girls), Shihafu Askonotia (Dagoretti Mixed).
Defenders: Robai Nelma (Lwandeti D.E.B), Vidah Okeyo (Butere Girls), Judith Okumu (Butere Girls), Dorcas Glenda (Butere Girls), Beryl Achieng (Magunga Secondary), Sharlot Atieno Obondi (KISPED), Philomena Syombua (Kamkunji Secondary), Claire meris (Kobala Secondary), Junedezina Awino (Itigo Girls), Lorine Ilavunga (Wiyeta Girls), Sharon Omwangale (Wiyeta Girls), Ruth Akinyi (Nasokol Girls).
Midfielders: Rebecca Kwoba (Soccer Assasins FC), Jane Hato (Madira Girls), Lorna Faith (Butere Girls), Sheila Awuor Ouma (Kobala), Eunice Atieno Odemba (Kobala), Ephy Atieno Onyango (Kobala Secondary), Susan Akoth (Our Lady of Fatima), Jerrine Adhiambo (Madira Girls), Jane Njeri (Dandora Secondary), Velma Kaveza (Itigo Girls), Sheila Kaare Wanjiru (105 Nini Farm), Conny Anyego (Hoppy’s Girls Primary), Sheila Adongo (Wiyeta Girls), Erika Njeri (Kahuhia Girls), Rebecca Odato (Dagoretti Mixed).
Forwards: Mollviine Achieng Owour (KISPED), Elizabeth Mideva (Bishop Njenga), Fasila Adhiambo (Ulinzi Starlets FC), Immanuela Nafula (Sang’alo Institute), Valerie L Nekesa (Madira Girls), Ivy Chepkirui (Zetech FC), Winnie Wangeci (Moi Girls Nangili), Margaret Njeri (Falling Waters), Patience Kasichana (Dagoretti Mixed), Inna Akinyi (Fussball Naks Ladies), Margaret Aluoch Onyango (Kobala Secondary), Edna Wanda (Wiyeta Girls).
