Nyamira Girls ready to dance as national school games kick off

Nyamira Girl's forward Amanda Wamlwa reacts during the NYanza Regional games.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Nyanza Region Secondary School hockey queens Nyamira Girls from Siaya County are a school on a mission.

After ending five-time East African champions Sinyolo Girls' 10-year reign in Nyanza, Nyamira is plotting national take over ahead of the Kenya Secondary Schools Term One National Games that start today at Hill School in

Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

Nyamira confirmed their dominance in Nyanza earlier this month when they won the regional title for the third year running after edging out Agenga Mixed Secondary School from Migori County 1-0 in the finals played at Kisii School.

Nyamira won the controversial 2019 regional games after favourites Sinyolo Girls were banned for allegedly fielding an ineligible player in one of their matches.

Last year in Homa Bay, Nyamira finished off Sinyolo Girls with a narrow 2-1 win in the final.

Speaking ahead of the national finals in Eldoret, Nyamira Girls coach Eliakim Obondo said teamwork between the technical bench and the players played a key role in their victory and they are aiming higher this year after last year's disappointment.

Nyamira lost to national champions St Mary's Taachasis in the semifinals last year in Nakuru.

Taachasis have since been knocked out after losing to St Josephs Kitale during the Rift Valley finals.

Nyamira Girls star players from left Laureen Auma, Vivian Akinyi, Laura Adongo and Lavender Omondi.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Alongside coaching partners Dennis Kigae and Naomi Kabibi, Obondo said they attained all their objectives in the regional games.

"We met all our expectations and objectives we set in Kisii. The team was free scoring, an element which was lacking in our past teams and we are ready to show Kenyans that it was not by lack that we are in the nationals," Obondo said.

Kigae on the other hand said they are looking forward to end the 32-year drought in the national games.

Nyamira last won the national title in 1991 and Kigae is confident they are the team to beat in Eldoret.

"If we continue with our aggressive style of play in Eldoret, nobody will beat us. We need the early goals in every match this week. Our victories in Kisii started with early goals in the first quarter and we are looking forward to play the same way.

"We want to be national champions again. It has been a long time since we were at the top and I believe this team can break the three-decade jinx," affirmed Kigae who thanked the school's Principal Jesca Ambasa for supporting sports in the school.

Nyamira Girls captain Vivian Akinyi (left) in action against Agenga Mixed.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Nyamira finished third during the national games in 2019 before coming fourth in East Africa. Last year, they finished third again.

The Nyanza hockey giants will face off against St Josephs Kitale, St Charles Lwanga and Hill Crest in Group A.

Western Region champions Tigoi Girls will headline Group B which also consist off AIC Nyayo Girls, Loreto Limuru High and Afraha Secondary School.

In the boy's category, Maseno School who ousted Nyanza champions Kisumu Day will be in Group A where they will face off against defending champions St Anthony's Boys Kitale, Meru School and Nairobi School.

St Charles Lwanga are in Group B alongside Musingu Boys, Mangu High and Kapsabet Boys.