Eastern region boys handball champions Mbooni Boys are hoping that they will be third time lucky and win their first ever Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national title.
Having played in the 2019 and 2023 finals, they will capitalise of home advantage to outshine their opponents when this year’s National Term One games begin tomorrow at Machakos School.
Mbooni have come close but fell short in the hands of perennial rivals Hospital Hill of Nairobi region.
Mbooni coach Gerald Juma exuded confidence saying that they have remained consistent even when playing on unfamiliar grounds and home advantage should see them finally get it right. “We are regulars at national games which is not a mean feat. We have maintained a good run at the games but failed to complete the job. I think this is our year because we are playing on home turf and with the crowds on our side, I believe we will get the job done,” Juma said.
Juma added that apart from home advantage, he also has an experienced side that is eager to prove its mettle. “I have a majority from my last year’s squad because only four finished Form Four, they have experience playing on the big stage which counts at this level of competition.”
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He intimated that he expects stiff competition due to the quality of teams that qualified from other regions.
“I have been following games in different regions right from the sub-county level to the regionals and I know it is not going to be easy because all teams that qualified are equally good though it doesn’t worry me because my boys are capable of completing the job,” he noted.
Juma will rely on the services of Caleb Masika and Charles Walimbwa who made a good account of themselves during last year’s games leading their side to a second-place finish nationally.
Mbooni will launch their campaign in Group B against Nyanza champions Manyatta High. Coast region’s Mwangea Secondary School will take on Rift Valley winners Saniak Secondary.
Defending champions Hospital begin their title defence in Group A against North Eastern’s Sabunley Secondary. The city boys are keen to announce their intentions to retain their title and secure a third gong in a row. The second Group A match tie will pit former champions St Luke’s Kimilili from Western against Central’s Handege Secondary.
In the girls’ contest, former champions Moi Girls Kamusinga will be out to reclaim the title they lost to St Joseph’s Kitale from Rift Valley. The race for the girls title is open in the absence of St Joseph’s who failed to qualify after losing to Murundiko Baptist Secondary. Kamusinga will take on Nairobi’s Dagoretti Mixed. Murundiko who are in Group B are now tasked with ensuring that Rift Valley region retains the national crown. They tackle North Eastern’s Hon DM Amin in their first encounter.
Home girls Kwanzanthe Secondary will entertain Moi Forces Girls from Coast in their opening Group A tie while Nyanza champions Ulanda Secondary will play Central’s Nyathuna Secondary.
By Our Reporter
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