SCHOOLS: Lwak Girls shine as new champions rise in Nyanza

Lwak Girls celebrate after winning the Nyanza Region football title.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

New champions were crowned on Tuesday when the delayed Nyanza Region Secondary School games ended in Bondo, Siaya County.

Co-hosted between Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Nyamira Girls and Maranda High School, the Term Two games gave birth to new kings and queens in volleyball, football, netball and basketball 3x3.

In fact, there will be four debutants at the national games set to kick off in Kakamega next month on August 7.

Only St Mary's School Yala and Nyakach Girls were able to defend their rugby sevens and volleyball girls titles respectively.

Siaya County football champions St Mary's Lwak Girls High School and Homa Bay giants Agoro Sare High School led the contingent of new champions after flooring bigwigs to book their maiden appearance at the national championship.

Lwak Girls emerged new winners after beating Nyakach Girls High School 2-0 in post-match penalties played at Maranda High School. Nyakach had knocked out defending champions Kobala Mixed Secondary School 1-0 in the semifinals last Sunday.

After the match ended in 1-1 draw during the normal 90 minutes and extra time, Lwak converted two penalties to emerge the new champions. Nyakach who last won the title in 2019 missed all their four penalties.

Speaking after leading Lwak to their first ever-regional title and national appearance, coach Daniel Ochieng said hard work, belief and support from home fans helped them through to their championship.

Ochieng said they were never in any pressure despite losing to Nyakach during their preliminary group matches 1-0 on Saturday.

"It has been a long journey of sweat and blood. We believed we can do it and now we go to represent the region proudly," said Ochieng.

"The journey however does not end but begins afresh because the nationals demands a lot and we will be ready for Kakamega come next month."

Agoro Sare celebrate after winning the Nyanza Region football title.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

On the other hand, Agoro Sare from Homa Bay County dethroned Kisumu Day to be crowned the new football boys champions despite controversies continuing to mar the final.

In a match that was a repeat of last year's finals that saw Kisumu Day win 2-0, Agoro Sare got their sweet revenge by edging the Kisumu County champions 7-6 in post-match penalties.

Agoro goalkeeper Michael Omondi, who was substituted at the last minute for the penalties, turned out to be the difference between the two teams, sending the Homa Bay County champions to the nationals.

"Our objective right now shifts to qualifying for the East Africa games. We want to play with the best in Africa as we continue nurturing and exposing the football talents of Agoro Sare to the continent," said Agoro head coach Fredrick Akuku.

St Mary's Yala perform the haka after being awarded the Nyanza rugby sevens title.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Despite losing, Kisumu Day appealed and are awaiting the verdict from the Ministry of Education's regional office.

Onjiko High School from Kisumu County were crowned new volleyball boys' champions and basketball 3x3 winners.

Onjiko thrashed God Bura 3-0 (25-15, 25,16, 25-14) in volleyball before edging out rivals Agoro Sare 18-10 in basketball 3x3.

Ototo Mixed were crowned new champions in basketball 3x3.

Nyakach Girls came from behind to win 3-1 (15-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-8) against Nyakongo to retain their volleyball girls title while St Mary's Yala edged Maseno School 5-0 to retain their rugby sevens title.

Nyanza Region Secondary School games

New Champions

Football

Boys-Agoro Sare High School
Girls: St Mary's Lwak Girls High School

Volleyball

Boys: Onjiko High School

Basketball

Boys: Onjiko High School
Girls: Otoyo Mixed Secondary School

Netball: Oyugi Ogango