Defending champions Kisii School will on Thursday begin their quest for a fourth straight Nyanza Region Secondary Schools Sports Association rugby 15s title with a high-stakes clash against former winners St Mary’s School Yala.
The Pool ‘A’ opener at Maseno School is expected to set the tone for the tournament, with Kisii carrying a psychological advantage after beating Yala in the last three regional finals.
Kisii School head coach Edwin Morara says his side is focused on starting strong as they chase yet another title.
“We want to have a strong start. Nothing will stop us from qualifying from the pool. We aim to reach the final and defend our title,” Morara said.
“The boys are experienced, and their mindset is clear—we just need them to turn up.”
Elsewhere, Cardinal Otunga High School Mosocho are also eyeing the crown. They open their campaign against Homa Bay champions Gendia High School.
Coach Edwin Metobo believes his charges are ready to compete at the highest level.
“We are in a good pool. We respect every opponent, but our target is to win all our matches and top the group,” Metobo said.
He added that lessons from narrow defeats to Kisii School during the county championships have helped sharpen his team.
“We faced Kisii twice and lost narrowly, but we learned a lot. We have corrected our mistakes and are ready,” he noted.
Hosts Maseno School will also be keen to reclaim the title and begin their campaign against Nyambaria Senior School. In Pool ‘B’, Otieno Oyoo High School take on Friends School Anjego.
Yala face a tough second fixture against hosts Maseno, while Kisii will later lock horns with Nyambaria as the group stage action intensifies.
In the girls’ rugby 15s, Enkinda Mixed Secondary School begin their campaign against Sidindi Secondary School before taking on Sigoti Complex.
Moi Girls Suba will face Mawego Girls Secondary School in their opener before meeting Nyagichenche Mixed Secondary School later in the day.
Selected Thursday Fixtures:
Hockey
Girls: Geke vs Sinyolo; Agenga vs Nyamira; Sinyolo vs Ng’iya; Amaiko vs Geke; Nyamira vs Huma; Asumbi vs Agenga.
Boys: Ambira vs Maseno; Kanyawanga vs Oriwo; Maseno vs Ringa; Nyambaria vs Ambira; Cardinal Otunga vs Kanyawanga; Oriwo vs Kisumu Day.
Handball
Boys: Mirogi vs Menara; Yala vs Rapogi; Menara vs Manyatta; Nyambaria vs Mirogi; Rapogi vs Maseno; Kisii vs Yala.
Basketball:
Boys: Kisii vs Kisumu Boys; Nyambaria vs Usenge; Kisumu Boys vs Yala; Rapogi vs Kisii; Usenge vs Maseno; Agoro Sare vs Nyambaria.
Girls: Tuk Jowi vs Koru; Kereri vs Nyangajo; Koru vs Asumbi; Manga vs Tuk Jowi; Nyangajo vs Nyakach; Barchando vs Kereri.
