Goseta Boys will be searching for their maiden title at the 2019 Under-16 Nationals set for next week at Kisumu National Polytechnic in Kisumu County.
With the youthful side sponsored by by soft drink company Coke Cola, winners in both men and women to represent the country in the second edition of the COPA Coca-Cola Africa where champions St. Anthony’s High school Kitale was bundled out of the championships.
Goseta, who egded out Champions St. Anthony’s will be making their maiden appearance since the under 16 category was introduced with Kennedy Osundwa optimistic of claiming the title.
The school, which used to compete at the national championships without winning any title before the introduction the under 16, will be competing for the under 16 title in pool B alongside Western’s Koyonzo, Central’s Gatamahiu and Coast side Serani.
“We have the best team and we hope to sail through to the semifinals as we eye our maiden title. Our school had never competed at the under 16 categories and we have plans to fight for the title,” said Osundwa.
According to Osundwa, the hot weather in Kisumu may affect his players hence planning to travel to the region earlier to the boys to acclimatize before the championships that kick off on Tuesday.
Goseta were the winners of the Rift Valley championships by edging out Nandi champions Moi High school Sirgoi to book the only slot for the national championships from the larger 14 counties at Baringo High school.
“Trans Nzoia is a cold region and we want to travel to Kisumu on time to acclimatize before the championships. Kisumu is hot region and playing without acclimatizing may cost our team,” added Osundwa.
Nairobi’s Dagoretti High leads pool B will play hosts Agoro Sare Secondary School (Nyanza Region), Machakos Boys High School (Eastern Region) and a representative from the North Eastern Region.
Former champions in girls’ Wiyeta of Rift Valley Region will be redeeming their image after losing last year’s title to Moi Girls Nangili from Western but lost at the regionals.
Wiyeta leads pool A alongside Dagoretti Mixed Secondary School (Nairobi Region), Njabini Girls Secondary School (Central Region) and Ugari Mixed Secondary School (Nyanza Region).
In group B, the third runners up in last year’s championship, Coastal region champions Waa Girls Secondary School will be playing against Kobala Mixed Secondary School (Nyanza Region), Maeni Girls Secondary School (Western Region) and Itaara Secondary School (Eastern Region).
Kisumu football pooling
Pool A: Shimba Hills, Garisa, St Anthony boys and Olobosalt
Pool B: Kisumu day, Mbooni, Ebwali and Dagoreti.
Boys soccer U16
Pool A: Goseta, Koyonzo, Serani and Gatamahiu
Pool B: North Eastern, Dagorreti high, Aggoro Sare and Machakos boys
Girls U16 Pool A: Ugari, Wiyeta, Central, Dagorretti mixed
Pool B: Kobala, Maeni, Itaara girls, Waa girls
Girls U19
Pool A: Nyakach, Dagorretti mixed, Karugwa girls, Itigo
Pool B: Gesero, Arch Bishop Njenga, St Johns Kaloleni and Njambai