Nyanza champions eye national glory

Fresh from conquering the lake region, this year’s NRSSSA Term 2 champions have embarked on thorough preparations as they bid stage improved performances in the national stage compared to last year.

In last year’s edition, Mogonga (netball), Nyakach (netball) and Kobala (Girls soccer under-20) were the only teams from the region that went beyond the semifinals stage at the nationals as others came short in the preliminaries.

Boys’ volleyball champions Mogonga Secondary School head coach Nathan Kiptoo is upbeat his team will do well in this year’s competition given the preparations that they have staged so far.

“We understand that the nationals will be very competitive so we cannot settle for what we have. The teams are tough there.”

“The lake region games were important to us because apart from defending out title, we learn a lot about our game,” he told Citizen Digital.

He added that the team is focused on ironing out its potential weaknesses manifested in the just concluded Nyanza Region Games, as they aim to qualify for the finals of this year’s edition.

“We realized we have weaknesses, especially at the back-court and also our setters committed many mistakes. At the national level, we can afford to go with such frailties.

“For instance, our setter could sometimes be penalized for avoidable mistakes. These are the undoing that we work to get rid of before we enter the national championships.”

“We are engaging experts in our training programs as a way of ensuring that we overcome these weaknesses,” he added.

Having finished third last year, Mr. Kiptoo is counting on the vast experience to go one better this time round.

“The fact that we played well in the nationals last year only makes us feel more confident. The boys did well last year, and we are confident that they will be better than they were.”

However, he is wary of teams from the Rift Valley region given their proven assured performances at the highest stage.

“Rift valley teams are always tricky to beat give their technical prowess. However, I feel that with sufficient preparations, e will be ready to go.”

The KSSSA Term 2 national games will be held in Kisumu Day and Kisumu boys early next month.

Qualified teams from the lake region 2019

Soccer Girls U16- Ugari and Kobala

Soccer Boys U16- Agoro Sare

Volleyball Girls- Sega

Volleyball Boys- Mogonga

Netball- Nyakach Girls

Soccer Boys U19- Barding

Soccer Girls U19- Nyakach Girls and Gesero