Ojilo eyes maiden national football title with St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale

The Rift Valley regional giants returned to the national stage after a one-year hiatus, having edged Nasokol 3-1 in the regional final earlier this month.

“Our aim is lifting the title this year and we will give everything. We want to take it step by step and surpass the level we reached in 2024 where we lost in the semis,” Ojilo told Citizen Digital.

Although they expect stiff competition from regulars Nyakach Girls and Fred Serenge-led Archbishop Njenga, Ojilo insists no team is a pushover and they plan to treat each match as a final.

Both Nyakach and Archbishop Njenga enter the competition with a title each, and all will be looking to roar with reigning champions Butere Girls missing this year’s national stage.

“We will approach each match at a time, treating them as a final. We will prepare well because each match is equally important.”

Ojilo warned her girls against resting on their laurels against what they feel are lesser opponents noting that all competing teams are champions in their own capacity.

The last time JOGA was on the national stage was in 2024 where they lost 1-0 in a tightly contested semi-final clash against Nyakach Girls.

Meanwhile, training has hit top gear, and the players are in good shape to conquer the national fiesta.

“We are doing our final training sessions today and tomorrow accompanied by a friendly match on Wednesday or Thursday. From there we will be ready to travel to Thika,” said Ojilo.

JOGA is placed in Pool A alongside Nyanza’s Nyakach Girls, Kayatiwi from the Coast, and hosts Thika Girls.