Kakamega County prepares for high-stakes secondary schools football showdown

Kakamega County is gearing up for another exciting secondary schools football showdown, with rival schools set to raise emotions when they face off.

Notable secondary school football giants have already qualified for the county-level matches, which will kick off on Thursday, 20th June in Mumias town.

Defending county champions Musingu School have been paired in one group with their arch-rivals, Kakamega School, and Chebuyusi Boys from Navakholo sub-county.

The battle between Musingu School's Scorpions and Kakamega School's Green Commandos is expected to electrify the competition and heighten emotions.

Tensions are already high off the field after Kakamega School petitioned for the "illegal" transfer of nine of their players to Musingu.

According to Green Commandos coach Hesborn Nyabinge, Musingu pushed for the transfer of the nine players without following the laid-down rules.

"The KSSSA rules are very clear; you cannot transfer more than two players from one school to another, so the other players will only be eligible to play after one year," he said.

However, Musingu High School responded through their principal Bernard Likuya, who stated that their respective parents decide where a child goes to school.

"The star players who were transferred are minors, and their parents advised them to do so," he said.

Last year's western regional champions, Shanderema High School, are also expected to assert their dominance in the competitions. Shanderema High School has been pooled together with St. Peter's Mumias Boys High School and Khaimba Secondary School. Shanderema's coach Kevin Asuba is confident they will again qualify for the regional finals and progress to the nationals.

"Last year we had a perfect team, but some of the players sat for KCSE and are not with us. However, we have built another squad with a different style of play and are ready to triumph again," he said.

Last year's county-level semifinalist, Lugusi Secondary School, will compete against Munyuki Secondary School, Lwandeti DEB Secondary School, and Khwisero Sub-County representatives, Eshibinga Secondary School.

In girls' football, national champions Butere Girls High School will face stiff competition from rivals Arch Bishop Njenga Girls High School, Kimang'eti Girls Secondary School, and Mwira Secondary School.