Kakamega School reclaim national football title in Thika

Kakamega High School survived a late scare to edge St. Mary’s Yala 3-2 in a topsy-turvy final and clinch the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) football title on Thursday at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika.

The victory ended a seven-year drought for the Kakamega-based team, crowning them champions with an unprecedented 13th school football title.

The Green Commandos showed their hands early when Eugene Mbeleti broke the deadlock in the third minute, towering above the defence to head home a corner kick, leaving Yala goalkeeper Omondi helpless.

They nearly doubled their lead two minutes later after a sweeping attack down the right wing but Julius Ochieng was denied by the woodwork.

St. Mary’s Yala gradually found their rhythm, absorbing the high tempo and mounting dangerous counterattacks in the final dubbed ‘mini-Mashemeji derby’ by football enthusiasts.

Their persistence paid off in the 36th minute when Collins Otieno curled in a brilliant free-kick to draw the Black Saints level going into halftime.

Yala carried that momentum into the second half, striking again at the hour mark through Edwin Ochieng to take a 2-1 lead.

The Nyanza regional powerhouse then retreated into a deep defensive block, repelling wave after wave of attack. However, their resolve broke in the 82nd minute when Derrick Wanyonyi picked the bottom corner with a delicate low curling effort to equalize for Kakamega and force extra time.

The extra 30 minutes delivered high drama, but it was Kakamega who found the decisive breakthrough, with Eugene Mbeleti slotting home his second goal of the match in the 110th minute to put the Commandos back in front.

Julius Ochieng came agonizingly close to sealing the result shortly after, only to watch his powerful snapshot rattle off the frame of the goal for a second time.

Yala launched a desperate late assault in search of a saviour, nearly forcing an equalizer in the final moments, but Kakamega held their nerves to recapture their record 13th national title after a seven-year drought.

Forward Eugene Mbeleti was overjoyed following the final whistle.

"I'm happy to help my team win the title today. We have really worked hard for the title and our efforts paid off."

In the girls' final, St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale (JOGA) lifted their maiden title, defeating Nyakach Girls 7-6 on penalties following a thrilling 1-1 draw.

Tournament favourites Nyakach started aggressively with Junior Starlets prodigy Joan Ogola causing chaos down the flank.

Nyakach’s pressure finally told in the 28th minute when Idah Matara pounced on a parried rebound from Emily Adhiambo’s initial shot.

Their joy was short-lived. Just two minutes later, JOGA's Miriam Silali capitalized on a loose ball, deftly lofting it over an off-the-line goalkeeper to reset the match.

Both sides cancelled each other out through a scoreless second half and gruelling extra-time period.

In the ensuing shootout, JOGA held their nerve to win 7-6 after Nyakach's Joan Ogola and Beryl Awuor missed their spot-kicks.

JOGA head coach Francis Ojilo hailed his squad's resilience after the triumph.

"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.