Kakamega School Win Record 13th KSSSA Football Title

Kakamega School survived a late scare to beat St. Mary’s Yala 3-2 in a thrilling KSSSA boys’ football final on Thursday at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika.

The Green Commandos needed extra time to overcome the Black Saints in a dramatic final that produced five goals.

As a result, Kakamega ended their seven-year wait for the U19 national crown. Moreover, the victory handed the school a record-extending 13th U19 national football title.

Kakamega make a flying start

Kakamega started strongly and needed only three minutes to open the scoring.

Eugene Beleti rose above the Yala defence to head home a corner from Mike Okoth. Consequently, Yala goalkeeper Omondi had little chance of stopping the powerful header.

Two minutes later, the Green Commandos almost doubled their advantage.

After a quick attack down the right, Julius Ochieng found himself in a good position to score. However, his effort struck the woodwork.

Despite the early pressure, St. Mary’s Yala gradually settled into the match.

The Black Saints began to absorb Kakamega’s attacks while creating chances on the counter. Meanwhile, football fans had dubbed the highly anticipated final a “mini-Mashemeji derby.”

Eventually, Yala found their equaliser in the 36th minute.

Collins Otieno stepped up and curled a brilliant free-kick into the net. Therefore, the teams went into halftime level at 1-1.

Yala complete the comeback

After the break, St. Mary’s Yala maintained their momentum.

Their pressure paid off on the hour mark when Edwin Ochieng scored to give the Nyanza regional powerhouse a 2-1 lead.

Following the goal, Yala dropped deeper as they tried to protect their advantage.

Kakamega, however, responded by pushing more players forward. As a result, the Green Commandos began to put Yala’s defence under sustained pressure.

For several minutes, the Black Saints stood firm. Nevertheless, their resistance finally ended in the 82nd minute.

Kakamega captain Fidel Odhiambo delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Derrick Wanyonyi. Wanyonyi then curled a low effort into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

Consequently, the late equaliser forced the national final into extra time.

Beleti delivers in extra time

Once again, Kakamega started strongly and regained the lead in the 100th minute.

Beleti found space inside the area before calmly slotting home his second goal of the match. With that strike, the Green Commandos moved 3-2 ahead.

Soon afterwards, Ochieng almost added a fourth goal. However, his powerful effort struck the frame of the goal for the second time in the match.

Yala, meanwhile, refused to surrender.

Instead, the Black Saints pushed forward in the closing stages as they searched for an equaliser. They came close to forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.

However, Kakamega’s defence held firm under the late pressure.

Finally, the referee’s whistle sparked celebrations among the Green Commandos.

After seven years without the U19 national crown, Kakamega were champions again.

Kakamega extend record to 13 U19 titles

The victory strengthened Kakamega School’s place in the history of Kenyan secondary school football.

Thursday’s triumph was the Green Commandos’ 13th U19 national football title, extending their record in the country’s top secondary school football championship.

However, the 13-title tally refers specifically to Kakamega’s success at U19 level.

The Green Commandos also have a national title from the U16 category, having won the Copa Coca-Cola U16 national championship in 2017.

Therefore, the 2017 U16 crown is not included in the school’s tally of 13 U19 national titles. When the two age categories are considered separately, Kakamega have 13 U19 crowns and one U16 national title.

The U16 Copa Coca-Cola competition was separate from the traditional U19 championship. In later years, the competition was disrupted and its structure changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in sponsorship.

Kakamega’s latest achievement can, therefore, accurately be described as their record-extending 13th U19 national football title, while their 2017 U16 success remains a separate chapter in the school’s rich football history.

Beleti was delighted after scoring twice in the dramatic final.

“I’m happy to help my team win the title today. We have really worked hard for the title and our efforts paid off,” said Beleti.

JOGA win maiden girls’ title

Earlier, St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale (JOGA) made history by winning their first national football title.

JOGA defeated Nyakach Girls 7-6 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following extra time.

At the start, tournament favourites Nyakach were the stronger side. In particular, Junior Starlets youngster Joan Ogola caused problems for the JOGA defence with her runs down the flank.

Eventually, Nyakach’s pressure produced the opening goal in the 28th minute.

Idah Matara reacted quickly after the goalkeeper parried Emily Adhiambo’s initial effort. She then collected the rebound and found the net.

However, Nyakach’s lead lasted only two minutes.

Soon afterwards, Miriam Silali took advantage of a loose ball to bring JOGA level. She cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

Penalties decide girls’ final

After the break, both teams continued searching for a second goal. However, neither side could find the breakthrough.

As a result, the deadlock continued through extra time and the national title had to be decided from the penalty spot.

During the shootout, JOGA kept their composure.

Eventually, they secured a dramatic 7-6 victory after Nyakach’s Joan Ogola and Beryl Awuor missed their penalties.

Therefore, JOGA completed a historic campaign by claiming their maiden national football crown.

Afterwards, JOGA head coach Francis Ojilo praised his players for their fighting spirit and mental strength.

“I want to hail my girls’ mental strength, which has been instrumental for this win. We fell behind, but the girls fought well and held on to the last kick of the game. I’m very proud of them,” said Ojilo.