- Kakamega School have won the 2026 KSSSA National Boys’ Football title, beating St. Mary’s Yala 3-2 after extra time.
- St. Mary’s Yala have taken a 2-1 lead through a free-kick before Kakamega School levelled the score in the 80th minute.
- Kakamega School have sealed the championship with a 100th-minute goal after regulation time ended 2-2.
Kakamega School have clinched their 13th Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Boys’ Football title after a seven-year wait, edging out St. Mary’s Yala 3-2 in a thrilling extra-time final at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika.
The victory ended the Green Commandos’ long wait for national glory, with their last title having come in 2018, and reaffirmed the Western Region giants’ place among the most successful football schools in the country.
The championship clash, played during the 2026 KSSSA Term Two National Games running from August 2 to August 6, lived up to expectations as both sides produced an entertaining and fiercely contested encounter. Kakamega settled early nerves by opening the scoring, only for St. Mary’s Yala to respond with a brilliant free-kick goal to level the match before taking a 2-1 lead.
Kakamega fought back in the 80th minute to level the score at 2-2, setting up a tense finish that could not be resolved inside regulation time. With the scores locked after 90 minutes, the final went into extra time, where Kakamega finally found the decisive goal in the 100th minute to make it 3-2 and seal a memorable triumph.
The Green Commandos displayed resilience, tactical discipline and determination throughout the match, overcoming a spirited challenge from St. Mary’s Yala, who matched them for long spells and kept the contest finely balanced until the closing stages.
The latest success extends Kakamega’s remarkable record to 13 KSSSA national football titles, further cementing their status as one of Kenya’s greatest school football institutions. Their championship-winning journey spans several generations, with previous national titles won in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1995, 2008, 2014 and 2018, with the 2026 triumph now adding another chapter to the school’s rich sporting history.
ALSO READ:
St. Joseph’s Girls win first‑ever KSSSA national football title after dramatic penalty shootout
Kakamega had made a strong start to this year’s competition, beating Tumaini High School 4-0 before securing top spot in their group, and also recorded a 4-1 victory over St. Philip Baricho during the group stage. The Green Commandos booked their place in the final after edging Menengai High School 2-1 in extra time during Wednesday’s semi-final.
For the players, technical bench and supporters, the victory was a reward for months of hard work, discipline and preparation, with the team demonstrating composure under pressure, particularly during extra time, when they capitalised on their opportunities to emerge victorious against a determined St. Mary’s Yala side.
ALSO READ: MOE reduces Kenya’s FEASSSA team slots over funding constraints
The national title secures Kakamega School’s place as Kenya’s representative at the forthcoming Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Games in Morogoro, Tanzania, where they will face champion schools from across the East African region.
The triumph is another major milestone for Western Kenya, a region that has continued to dominate school football by producing technically gifted players and highly competitive teams capable of excelling on the national stage.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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
