St Joseph’s Girls Kitale and Kakamega High School were crowned the new Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national Term Two football champions on Thursday after emerging victorious in the girls’ and boys’ finals, respectively, at the MPesa Foundation Academy in Thika, Kiambu County.
St Joseph’s Girls, under the guidance of Chief Principal Rosebella Orwaru and coach Francis Ojillo, clinched their maiden national title after edging 2019 champions Nyakach Girls 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Nyakach struck first through Iddah Matara before Mirriam Silali restored parity for the Rift Valley champions to send the match into extra time and eventually penalties.
Pearl Olesi, Flavian Khatenje, Purity Nechesa, Conny Ayieko, Mirriam Silali, Nelly Njeri and Ivy Atieno all converted for St Joseph’s, as Joan Agola missed for Nyakach after Emmaculate Adhiambo, Iddah Matara, Genevieve Mitchel, Penina Okoth, Nancy Anyango and Berly Okumu had found the target.
“The girls showed mental strength because they came from a goal down to equalise and went on to win on penalties. It was a tough game, to be honest,” said coach Ojillo. “We train for penalties after every training session. This has paid off and helped us clinch the national title for the first time.”
The victory also served as sweet revenge for St Joseph’s, who had lost 2-0 to Nyakach in their opening Group Stage match.
On their way to the final, St Joseph’s edged Archbishop Njenga Girls 1-0 in the semi-finals, while Nyakach booked their place with a commanding 4-0 victory over Raila Education Centre.
In the boys’ final, dubbed the “Mashemeji Derby”, Kakamega High School defeated St Mary’s School Yala 3-2 in a thrilling contest to secure a record-extending 14th national football title.
Yala had reached the final after defeating Takaba Mixed Senior School 2-0, while Kakamega overcame Menengai High School 2-1 in the other semi-final.
Menengai finished third after beating tournament surprise package Takaba Mixed Senior School 3-2 in the playoff.
Despite missing out on a podium finish, Takaba coach Noah Thuranira praised his players for making history as the first team from the North Eastern Region to reach the national semi-finals.
This is a huge achievement for the team. We wanted a podium finish, but we fell short. However, we are proud as a team,” said Thuranira. Reflecting on the playoff defeat, he questioned the duration of the match, saying: “The game was played for 35 minutes and not 45.”
In the girls’ third-place playoff, former national and East Africa champions Archbishop Njenga Girls, inspired by Kenya Under-20 striker Hildah Natecho, cruised to a 4-0 victory over Nairobi Region champions Raila Education Centre to claim the bronze medal. In the men’s final, Julius Ochieng, Derrick Wanyonyi and Eugene Bellety scored for Kakamega while Collins Otieno scored a brace for Yala.
