-
St Mary’s School Yala is eyeing its first-ever Nyanza region football crown after years of long cold.
-
This year, however, the “Black Saints” head into the Nyanza Regional Secondary Schools Championships as the team to beat.
Despite being one of the most dominant football teams in the Nyanza Region over the years, St Mary’s School Yala are yet to win the regional boys’ football title.
This year, however, the “Black Saints” head into the Nyanza Regional Secondary Schools Championships as the team to beat.
The competition will run from July 7 to 11, with matches hosted at Homa Bay Senior School and Ogande Girls High School, while additional fixtures will be played at Tom Mboya University and Raila Odinga Stadium.
Under the leadership of Chief Principal Makanda, Yala has established itself as a regional sporting powerhouse, holding titles in rugby 15s, rugby 7s, handball and 5×5 basketball.
As the regional games kick off on Tuesday, the school will also be chasing honours in 3×3 basketball and volleyball, while mounting what is expected to be a strong challenge in football. Confident ahead of the tournament, Yala’s seasoned football coach, Kelvin Oluoch, believes this could finally be the year his side claims the title.
“For the last couple of years, we have been knocking, but we have been unlucky. Last year, we finished third, and we want to improve on that performance.
ALSO READ:
If we do everything right, we can win the elusive football title,” said Oluoch in an interview with a local media house.
Oluoch said his side has enjoyed an impressive campaign, conceding just one goal on their way to successfully defending the county title.
Despite the strong run, he cautioned against complacency, noting that Yala faces a daunting challenge in a highly competitive group.
The team has been drawn in what he termed the “Group of Death” alongside regional champions Agai Mixed Secondary School, Homa Bay County champions Our Lady of Mercy Ringa Boys High School, and Kisii County representatives Sameta Senior School.
Agai, under the guidance of Senior Principal Gordon Akoko, heads into the tournament after relinquishing the Kisumu County crown following a 1-0 loss to Maseno School.
Elsewhere, Pool A comprises returning champions Maseno School, former title holders Koderobara Secondary School, Nyamira County champions Biticha Boys High School, and Homa Bay’s second representatives, Gendia Secondary School.
Yala are set to kick off their tournament campaign against hosts Ringa Boys at Raila Odinga Stadium.
ALSO READ:
Nyamira: Nyairanga Primary receives Iron Sheets to repair leaking roof, boost learning environment
Oluoch admitted that their pool presents a much tougher challenge compared to Pool A.
“However, for you to be the best, you must beat everyone else. We must progress from that group, which also features last year’s champions. We don’t want to underrate anyone because they all deserve their slots at the regional level. However, I believe we have done everything, and we deserve the trophy,” he said.
Since clinching the county title, Yala’s coaching staff has placed strong emphasis on sharpening the players’ mental and emotional resilience.
Oluoch expressed confidence that his team now has the composure and experience needed to mount a serious title challenge, noting that most of the players have spent the past four years together and have developed into a formidable side capable of winning the Nyanza championship.
By Frank Mugwe
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
