Refined Green Commandos make history, storm into NSL

Ambition, determination and focus have been the motivating factors and driving force behind Green Commandos, the revered football team of Kakamega High School.

And it seems, as the years roll by and fine talents walk in and out of the school’s gate, inscribed with the words, “In unity is strength” the team has remained true to this school motto, working hard with the goal clearly in mind.

Now, after ages of labour, the team has been rewarded; and in a big way!

Beginning 2018, the Commandos will be among the 20-teams that will be competing in the National Super League, making them the first school to achieve such a revered feat.

This is after they gained automatic promotion as the leaders of FKF Division One, Zone B league with 52 points from 23 games, with 4 points ahead of second placed Timsales.

And for a team that has over the ages injected fear down the spine of opponents in school games whenever their name is mentioned; this is perhaps a dream come true.

But that is not all; over time, the school has been a conveyor belt of fine football talent with the likes of Kenya international Cliffton Miheso who plies his trade for Buildcon Football Club in the Zambian League among them.

Others are ex Gor Mahia’s left back Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma , Andrew Kulecho, Moses Otieno, just to mention but a few.

Interestingly, the rise of Commandos come at a time when Western Stima, a football club from the region is fighting tooth and nail not to be relegated to the second tier; where as a matter of conjecture, they could lock horns with the students next term should fate be cruel to them.

But for Commandos coach, Brendan Mwinamo, this is a time to savour their meteoric rise.

 “The journey has been very tough, we were to go into the NSL last year, but we lost our opportunity after finishing third,” Mwinamo told Citizen Digital.   

“Our secret card has been focus, intense training and discipline. It’s not been easy to balance education with the expectations of the league. We will face the same challenge next season but we will strive to succeed. Despite this, we have made it into the NSL, though our primary target is to play in the Premier League,” he added.

Green Commandos will also be on the lookout for a sponsor as they seek to expand their activities and programmes to be in tandem with the requirements of the second-tier league.

At the same time, Mwindamo has told his players not to be worried of their positions in the team as they head to a higher tier league.

“We are thinking of offering contracts to our players and our first priority will be our own players. We may bring in some of our alumni to strengthen the team. At the same time, we will take on loan the Form Four players who would want to stay with us after finishing school. Those who would want to join other super league clubs will be free to do so,” Mwinamo affirmed.