Hosts Moi Girls and the University of Eldoret women team will highlight this weekend’s Moi Girls Open tournament.
Fresh from winning the Nakuru Open, Moi Girls High school Eldoret football team will be using home advantage as they seek to defend their title as experienced UOE seek the title too.
The two-day tournament has attracted 20 schools that will start on February 25th to Sunday 26th at the Moi Girls school playing ground.
The school under the tutelage of Robert Simiyu defeated Kenya Industrial Training Institute (KITI) 3-0 to lift the trophy as they prepare for Kenya secondary schools Sports Association that kicks off next weekend across the country.
In Nakuru, a brace from Kathleen Kurgat and Manda Were earned the school the title away from home, the winning spirit they will use back home.
“Our player Were was named the Most valuable Player during the Nakuru Open, which has given the team that winning spirit as the hosts this weekend,” he said.
Simiyu said that playing at home will give the girls courage and confidence as they will enjoy home fans as they battle off with other 20 schools who have confirmed their participation in the annual event.
“We have the pressure to defend our title but that will not deter us from dominating the events. Playing at home will give the girls the courage the same way they did last year,” said Simiyu.
He added that they want to ensure that they reach the national and Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association through the guidance of principal Juliana Kirui and Head of department Joseph Nzioki.
“Last year, we finished in position three lost at the regionals after losing in the finals to Itigo girls in semifinals but this year, we are setting up a formidable team that will battle for the national title and head to the East Africa championships that will be staged in Burundi,” he said.
He said that the principal has been supporting the teams in everything they do and that has paid off as the girls can enjoy the sport they like.
“Apart from the principal’s support, our HOD has been tremendous, allowing students to enjoy playing the sport they like and that has yielded results,” said Simiyu.