Butere girls and Shanderema High school are optimistic that they will shine at home when Kakamega County hosts the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) championships early next month.
Despite put in a group of death, Butere’s Howard Shikanda has set his focus to shine at home after surviving various challenges to the stardom at the concluded Western Secondary schools Sports Association championships.
“We shall do our level best to ensure that we win the national title after surviving various elimination challenges since we started the games this year, said Shikanda.
Butere from Kakamega County, defeated Vihiga’s Madira girls’ with a solitary goal scored by Judith Okumu after converting from the spot in the second half extra time.
Shikanda revealed that they almost lost a chance to compete at the regional after losing to Bishop Njenga High school at the Kakamega County championships.
“We survived like cats because all we have been playing for was a title. With two teams from each county earning a slot to the region, that was the first line of survival,” said Shikanda.
At the regional, in pool A they tied with Bungoma’s Brenda High school where they were forced to toss after they drew in points, goals, head to head and cards.
“We lost the toss and we had to finish the pool in second position. We thought that in pool B, Bishop Ngenga, who were our biggest rivals would have topped but they finished second and we faced pool winners Moi Girls Kamusinga in the semifinals, which we won 2-0,” said Shikanda.
At the nationals , Butere leads pool A alongside Njabini from Central, Dagoretti Mixed from Nairobi and Kombani Secondary from Coast.
In boys’ Shanderema, who edged out pre-final favourites Musingu in a great revenge will be taking on Nyanza champions Agoro Sare.
Popularly called The Scorpions, Musingu defeated The Eagles (Shanderema) 2-1 during Kakamega County championships.
At the region finals, Eagles were 3-0 with goals from Simon Masinza, Shaban Mark and Dismas Barasa to book for the single slot to the national.
Shanderema’s Coach Kevin Asuba hailed his charges who he said put on a brave battle that saw them emerge victorious.
“It was a tough match but my soldiers remained focused and professional. That is why they emerged victorious,” he said.
At the nationals, the Western champions take on North Eastern Bute, Kirangari from Central and a school from Nyanza, which is going on.
KSSSA National football pools
Girls
Pool A: Butere (Western), Jabini (Central), Dagoretti Mixed (Nairobi) and Kombani (Coastal).
Pool B: Madira (Western), Lwak (Nyanza), Mbitini (Eastern) and Wiyeta (Rift Valley).
Boys
Pool A: Bute (North Eastern), Shandarema (Western), Kirangari (Central) and Agoro sare (Nyanza).
Pool B: St Anthony’s Kitale (Rift Valley), Dagoretti (Nairobi), Matiliku (Eastern) and Serani (Coast).