SCHOOLS: Nyamira Girls set to defend East Africa hockey title with renewed focus

Nyamira Girls' Stephaine Seba (left), captain Jacinta Opondo and Mercy Dawo. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Nyamira Girls High School is poised to defend their East Africa hockey girls' title as they head to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Association (FEASSA) Games in Mbale, Uganda.

Despite relinquishing their national title earlier this year to Tigoi Girls from Western Kenya, Nyamira remain confident and determined to reclaim their glory on the regional stage.

The team’s captain, Jacinta Opondo, expressed the squad’s unwavering commitment to retaining the crown.

Nyamira Girls will face off against national champions Tigoi Girls, St Joseph Girls Kitale all from Kenya in the round-robin format alongside Sacred Heart Mushanga, Kakungulu Memorial, and Bweranyangi from Uganda.

Reflecting on last year’s triumph in Rwanda, she acknowledged the challenges they faced and how those experiences have shaped their preparation for this year’s games.

"Last year’s win wasn’t a walk in the park. As a team, we realised that we had to win all our matches. We have had enough preparations, playing a lot of build-up matches and undergoing elite coaching to sharpen our skills. Our major focus is winning all our matches," Opondo said.

Nyamira Girls captain Jacinta Opondo. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

The recent loss of the national title to Tigoi Girls has only fueled Nyamira’s determination. Opondo described the loss as a momentary slip rather than a complete relinquishing of the title.

"The loss has really motivated us to work even harder to redeem our lost glory. The girls are yearning for nothing less than a gold medal," she said.

Nyamira Girls have been diligently preparing for the East Africa Games, with a focus on perfecting their penalty corner (PC) conversions, which Opondo identified as a key area of improvement.

"Our major focus is on PC conversions. We have sharpened our skills on scoring a lot of goals through the penalty corners. Our defense is now mature and stable with the ability to handle any opposing pressure," she explained.

Nyamira Girls midfielder Amanda Wamalwa in action. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Handling the pressure of being the defending champions has been another critical aspect of their preparation.

According to Opondo, the team has managed to refocus and shift their attention away from the setback at the national level.

"We never focused so much on the setback. Our team has recollected itself from that loss and shifted focus to the maiden FEASSA trophy. Despite the immense pressure from our stakeholders and fans, Mbale shall be fireworks, and let me assure you, it’s coming home," she confidently stated.

When asked about any changes in tactics, Opondo remained tight-lipped, hinting at a more refined and strategic approach compared to last year.

"We are playing with our cards close to our chest. But let me assure you that tactically we are better than last year and far much better than what was witnessed during the national championships," she said.

Nyamira Girls' Stephaine Seba (left), and Mercy Dawo. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

The integration of younger players into the team has been seamless, according to Opondo. The team’s system of blending senior and junior players has allowed for a smooth transition, with the younger players quickly adapting to the high expectations of defending the title.

"The young lads are too baying for the opponents' blood," Opondo joked, underscoring the team’s readiness for the challenge ahead.

Leadership within the team has also played a crucial role in fostering discipline, dedication, and unity. Opondo believes that these qualities will be pivotal in their pursuit of reclaiming the top spot in East Africa. "We are more united in this discourse, singing one creed, ‘It is coming home,'" she declared.

Tigoi Girls'  Lavendar Philly (left) and Nyamira Girls' Jacinta Opondo during Kenya Secondary Schools sports Association final Hockey match Term One games in Machakos County. April 13, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

As the team prepares for the upcoming matches, Opondo emphasized their approach of treating each game as a final, with a focus on scoring early goals and maintaining composure.

Balancing the pressure of defending their title with enjoying the sport is another key aspect of their mindset. "Pressure zero. Have fun, win easy—that’s my motto," Opondo said with a smile.

In a final message to their opponents, especially Tigoi Girls, Opondo made it clear that Nyamira Girls is still the team to beat. "Nyamira Girls, aka Raiders, is still the team to beat in Mbale. We wish our opponents a good championship," she concluded.

With their eyes set on the prize, Nyamira Girls is ready to take on all challengers in Mbale, determined to bring the East Africa hockey girls' title back home.