New kings and queens crowned as focus shifts to regional finals

St Mary's Yala football players applaud their fans before the final. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

In Nyanza region, there was no safe haven for teams as Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term Two county games came to an end over the weekend.

New champions emerged in football in five of the six counties.

Only Sameta Boys from Kisii County retained their title as preparations now begin for the regional finals.

In Siaya County, St. Mary’s School Yala were finally crowned boys’ football champions after beating rivals and defending champions Ambira High School 1-0 in a tight final.

Yala’s win ends a two-year wait, having lost to Usenge in 2022 and Ambira in 2023. The school also scooped titles in volleyball and rugby 7s, showing strong all-round performance.

In girls’ football, Jera Mixed from Ugenya stunned former champions St Mary’s Lwak with a 2-1 semi-final win before edging Hawinga Girls 2-1 in the final to claim their first title.

Siaya also saw Kandaria (netball), Ng’iya Girls (basketball), and Yala (rugby 7s) successfully defend their titles.

Kisumu County also saw a change of guard after Onjiko High School shocked Kisumu Day in the semi-finals. The match ended 1-1, but Onjiko held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties.

Agai High School, last year’s runner-up, beat Kasagam 2-0 in the other semi. Both Onjiko and Agai qualified for the regional games, but their final was abandoned due to darkness and will be replayed later.

Otieno Oyoo Secondary School was also crowned new rugby Sevens champions after stunning defending champions Maseno School 19-5.

In Migori, Anjego Mixed Secondary School took the boys’ football crown from defending champions Koderobara High School after beating Rapogi Boys 2-0 in the final.

However, both teams qualified for the regional event. Raywer Mixed also defeated Oyugi Ogango 2-1 to become the new girls’ football queens, ending Migori EducationCentre’s reign.

Homa Bay County witnessed the rise of new football stars as little-known Karabok Secondary surprised many by winning the title. Karabok took over from giants Agoro Sare, who did not make it past the sub-county level. Kobala also dethroned Alara Girls.

Nyamira County also crowned new champions after Gekendo dethroned Matutu PAG, while Sameta Boys stood out as the only football team in Nyanza to defend their county title in Kisii County.