Malava volleyball supremacy on the test in KSSSA Western Games

Malava Boys High coach head coach Shadrack Tovoko acknowledges it will not be easy for the volleyball defending champions the Secondary Schools Western Regional Games, that kick off next week in Mumias.

The veteran coach was particularly concerned with the emergence of new rivals and county finalists Indangalasi Boys, who they struggled to beat in the Kakamega County Games played at the same venue last week.

Tovoko admitted the school may not be as famous as Malava, but they have what it takes to unsettle the Western Kenya powerhouses .

“We will take every match as a final, we won’t underestimate any opponent based on the past history. We have to improve because the level of competition has gone higher, and our target is winning the national and East Africa crown.

“Look at Indangalasi, they have shown us we cannot remain in the comfort zone anymore, if we have to keep our title,” observed Tovoko.

From the outskirts of Mumias , Indangalasi began their campaign against  Mwihila Boys winning  3-0 (25- 15 ,25-19 25-9) , before thrashing Lugari  3-0 (25-9 25 21 25-8 ) in their second duel.

The dominance was the same in the last match of the group, where they humbled Kulumbeni 3-0 (25-13, 25-21,25-9).

In the semi finals, outshined Ingolomisi whom by 3-0 sets of  (25-11,25-15, 25-23) to book a place in the finals against Malava Boys.

Despite losing 3-0 to the champions, the sets were closely lost as Tovoko admits (25-22,25-19 and 25-21).

“It’s been long since we faced such a good team at the county level. They have very good players that can match ours, we have to work extra hard to avoid disappointment in the regional’s, “he told.

Indagalasi is not the only threat for the reigning champions from Vihiga High school who beat rivals Chavakali 3-0 in their corresponding final.

Bungoma County champions Chesamisi High are also causing unrest in Malava camp, ahead of the regional fiesta in battle for a national ticket.

Commandos to command 

In football Kakamega High School  who successfully defended their title after defeating Kiyonzo Secondary School 1-0 in  final played at the Mumias Sports Complex, are not special to similar threats of the emerging fierce rivals.

Green Commandoes, who made history by becoming the first High School team to qualify for National Super League (NSL) have Kabula and Bukembe from Bungoma, and Chavakali of Vihiga High chasing on their heels.

Coach Branden  Mwinamo however believes Commandos have every reason to command more, to retain their title.

“Step by step, game by game is our style of play. We talk on the pitch and that’s what we are aiming to do in Mumias next week,” said the Coach .

In rugby revenge was  served hot as St. Peters Mumias outclassed Musingu High 19-0 in the rugby sevens final, whom they lost to in last year’s County finals.

The county games are set to begin next week on June 11, running to 15th in Mumias, Kakamega County.