St Maurice Mwira Mixed Secondary school football head coach Bashir Rajab Masinde has lived his dream after leading the school to qualify for Kenya National Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) championships that kicks off tomorrow in Nakuru County.
Masinde said that it has always been a dream for the school at least for once in a life time to compete at the national championships and that dream was fulfilled last Saturday following their 2-0 victory against Moi Girls’ Nangili High School during Western Region Secondary schools football final played at the Mumias Sports Complex on Saturday.
“It has been a dream for the school at least to compete at the nationals and that dream has been achieved this year. Our target was to qualify for the nationals and beating Nangili, was not easy to make the journey to Nakuru,” said Masinde.
Mwira goalkeeper Vivian Shiyonzo and captain Charity Huku scored for the little known Mwira in the 57th and 76th minute.
“We came close in 2019 to qualify with the under 16 team but we lost to Bungoma’s Maeni girls to kill our dream. The started the program way back in 2014 to the nationals and after eight years, we are there,” he added.
Shiyonzo converted a penalty in the in the 57th minute after her teammate Gladwel Malina was fouled by Nangili’s Caren Buyanzi before Huku doubled the score in the 76th minute.
Coming from Kakamega county, the will be facing off with former national champions St. John’s Kaloleni from Coast, free scoring Wiyeta of Rift Valley and neighbours Kobala from Nyanza.
“Looking at the pool, we are the pool of death but we shall not be the ones to die in it. With four teams, we only need two wins, which we shall not fail,” promised Masinde.
He said that they will be traveling to nakuru with the sole purpose of winning the title.
“They should be weary of us. We are not coming to participate but to compete at the national level. As much as we are the underdogs as they say, we shall dominate,” he said.
Pool A has Kinale of Central, Dagoreti Mixed (Nairobi), Kibauni (Eastern) and Itigo (Rift Valley)
In soccer boys, Bukembe will be playing against Nairobi’s Highway Secondary, North Eastern and Mbooni from Eastern.
Bukembe High School beat Ebwali High School from Vihiga County 7-6 in post-match spot kicks after a barren draw in normal and extra time play.
SOCCER POOLS
Boys
Pool A: Highway Sec (Nairobi), North Eastern, Mbooni (Eastern) and Bukembe (Western).
Pool B: Olbolsat (Central), Kabarnet (Rift Valley), Serani (Coast), and Kisumu Day (Nyanza).
Girls
Pool A: Kinale (Central), Dagoreti Mixed (Nairobi), Kibauni (Eastern) and Itigo (Rift Valley)
Pool B: St. John’s Kaloleni (Coast), Wiyeta (Rift Valley), Mwira (Western) and Kobala (Nyanza).