KSSSA: Chavakali High eye Western Region football title

KSSSA: Chavakali High eye Western Region football title  soccer team commenced their training earlier this week ahead of the Western region Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) Term II Games slated for Bungoma next week.

Chavakali coach Hillary Muleri said the players are in camp except Bret Greig, who suffered a minor fracture on his leg during county competitions at Mumboha against Senende Boys.

“We don’t want to participate but to compete.

“Our fans' support encourages us to soldier on, and our players who take in instructions well are determined to make Vihiga proud,” Muleri said.

Muleri revealed that his opponents would use high balls to muddle up his playing style, a weakness he will address before Western games kick off next Wednesday.

“Remember, at the County level, we only lost twice to Ebwali. They couldn’t let the ball settle on the pitch, managing to disorganize us. But I picked my lessons.

“I must prepare adequately for opponents not used to short passes moving forward,” Muleri stated.

In 2018, Chavakali qualified for regionals only to exit in the semifinals, where they lost to Bungoma’s Bukembe.

Chavakali would return to the regionals in 2022 but lost 5-4 on post-match penalties to Ebwali after a barren draw during the regulated time.

This year, Muleri’s side is pooled alongside Bungoma’s Kibabii, Munyuki from Kakamega, and John Osogo from Busia County in pool A.

“My objective is to qualify for the nationals, but I expect tough opposition from Musingu.

“I cannot also write off Ebwali because they beat us in 2022 when they bagged the national soccer trophy,” the Chavakali tactician stated.

Chavakali skipper Blair Milambo is upbeat that this is the year for Chavakali to stamp their authority in the secondary school soccer competitions.

“While others celebrate because they qualified for the regional games, we must this year go past the regionals and win the title,” Milambo said.

Apart from football, Chavakali High School will also feature in Rugby, Volleyball, and Basketball in Western Region championships.