Lead image for ‘Mashemeji Derby’ to light up tourney as Kakamega, Yala face off at school games.
A thrilling finale is expected today as giants Kakamega High School face newcomers St Mary’s School Yala in the boys’ football final as the National Secondary Schools Term Two Games come to a close at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika, Kiambu County.
The girls’ football final is also set to be a classic regional showdown, with Nyanza champions Nyakach Girls Senior School taking on St Joseph’s Girls Senior School from the Rift Valley Region in Kitale. Dubbed the “Schools Mashemeji Derby”, the boys’ showdown has seen St Mary’s Yala likened to Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia and Kakamega to AFC Leopards, setting the stage for an explosive encounter.
Yesterday, Kakamega secured their spot in the final by narrowly defeating Rift Valley champions Menengai Senior School 2-1 in a dramatic semi-final that went into extra time.
The Green Commandos took an early lead, then allowed Menengai back into the game before eventually sealing the win. Daniel Ombati was the hero for Kakamega, who last played at the nationals in 2018, scoring the winner in the 103rd minute. St Mary’s Yala beat Takaba Mixed Day Senior School from North Eastern, winning by 2–0 with goals from Arnold Otieno and Enock Mwagandi. Kakamega coach Enock Luche believes his side has what it takes to reclaim the title they last won in Eldoret in 2018, which would extend their record haul to 14 national crowns.
“We were the better side and created enough chances to finish the game before extra time. I don’t think fatigue will affect us because we have good squad depth,” he said.
However, St Mary’s coach Kevin Oluoch insists that his team are unfazed by Kakamega’s rich pedigree as they chase a historic first national title.
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“Kakamega are giants, but we also came through a very difficult group that included former champions Highway and Menengai. If we managed that, why should we fear Kakamega? They are an established side, but we are equally competitive,” he said. The winners will succeed St Joseph’s Boys Senior School, Kitale, who failed to qualify for this year’s national championships.