SCHOOLS: Come rain or shine, Kenyans aim for some soft landing

All Saints Embu High School’s Josphat Karanja celebrates after winning national rugby title against Butula Boys High School. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya rugby 15s teams are on the verge of setting up an all-Kenyan dream final at this year’s Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games in Mbale, Uganda.

The Kenyan boys are itching to recapture the title that has eluded them for the past two years.

Kakamega High School’s Barbarians was the last side to win the East Africa gong during the 2019 games held in Arusha, Tanzania.

After a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenya did not field a team in Arusha hence relinquishing the trophy to Uganda’s Namilyango College without a fight.

Last year, they failed to salvage the crown as the then national champions Butula High School and St Anthony’s Boys High School Kitale settled for silver and bronze respectively.

The Kenyan teams have been in great form dominating the contest and are now looking to set up an all-Kenyan final.

National holders All Saints Embu and Butula topped their respective groups with Kitondo School finishing second in Group B.

Butula, who lost their national crown to All Saints, will today lock horns with defending champions St Mary’s Kisubi in the semi-finals.

Butula will be out to avenge a 12-18 loss to the Ugandan’s that denied them the title last year.

Butula captain Daniel Wafula said they don’t expect an easy tie because of the high stakes in the game for their opponents.

“We expect a very tough encounter because it is a knockout match and just like us, our opponents want to win. Their title is at stake which means they will go all out to save it,” Wafula said.

In the second semis tie, All Saints, who are looking to end the year with the East Africa trophy, will take on compatriots Kitondo School.

All Saints tactician Benson Mwenda said even though they have had a good run this year, they are wary of Kenyan opponents.

“It’s not easy playing a Kenyan side at this stage, but our desire is to be in the final. We will be cautious going into the match because we don’t expect them to let us have it easy. Even so, whatever the outcome, a Kenyan team is assured of a place in the final,” Mwenda said.

In basketball, East Africa’s most decorated boys basketball side Laiser Hill will today take on Juhudi Secondary School from Tanzania in hunt of a place in the semis.

Laiser Hill began their campaign with a 59-36 win against Janana Secondary School from Uganda. National champions Dr Aggrey and Agoro Sare will also be in action today against Janan and ITS Gasogi from Rwanda respectively.

In football, St Joseph’s High School Kitale, who remain unbeaten despite dropping four points in goalless draws against Benjamin Mkapa Secondary School from Tanzania and hosts Bukedea Comprehensive School, will be hunting for their first Group A win.

Musingu High School will tackle APE Rugunga from Uganda in Group B. A win for Musingu will enhance their chances of reaching the last four.

In the girls' contest, Butere Girls High School, who already qualified for the semi-finals, will play Tanzania’s Alliance Secondary School in a bid to maintain their unbeaten run and top Group B.

In Group A, Nyakach Girls and St Joseph’s will battle for the semis slots.  Group A is tightly contested with Uganda’s reigning champions Kawempe Muslim and 2022 winners St Noah also eying the two semi-final places.