Kobala eyes national girls' football title despite being in 'pool of death'

Kobala players during the Kisumu County finals at Kisumu Boys'/ANGWENYI GICHANA

Nyanza region girls’ football champions Kobala have been placed in the 'pool of death' for the national secondary schools' Term Two games to be held in Kakamega from July 26 to August 3.

Kobala beat Saye 4-2 on post-match penalties to reclaim the Nyanza region title at Moi Stadium in Kisumu. They have been placed in a tough Pool ‘B’ alongside Madira from Western, Nairobi’s Dagoretti Mixed, and Coast’s Mwanambeyu.

Defending champions Butere Girls are in a relatively easy Pool ‘A’, which has Dr Charles Girls', Rift Valley champions Nasokol Girls' and Ruiru Secondary.

Kobala team manager Julius Aming’a said the pool is tough, but warned their rivals that they are ready to lift the national title.

He feels they are still favourites despite the odds stacked against them.

“We don’t have the best players but they are technically and tactically astute. That’s how we beat favourites Nyakach at the Nyanza region semi-finals. We were the better side, tactically,” said Aming’a.

“The toughest team in that pool is Madira. However, I don’t want to underrate Mwanambeyu and Dagoretti Mixed. I have faith in my team. Our target is to play in the final.”

Kobala has been to the final just once, in 2015, where they fell 1-0 to Wiyeta.

They have to the nationals six times and Aming'a believes they have the experience to play at that level. They will bank on Junior Starlets' goalkeeper Scovia Awuor.

Meanwhile, newly crowned Nyanza champions Agai Mixed Secondary are in an exciting Pool ‘A’ of the boys' competition alongside Western region champions Musingu, Moi High School from Eastern and a representative from North Eastern.

Defending champions Highway Secondary headlines Pool ‘B’ alongside Rift Valley’s St Joseph’s Kitale, Kirangari and Serani High School from the Coast region.

The North Eastern region championships, featuring teams from Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir, will be held this week in Garissa, according to regional secretary Bishar Bontore. The regional representatives will then depart for Kakamega on Saturday.