St Mary's Yala Dominates Football Throne Ahead of KSSSA Finals

St Mary's School Yala, the new Nyanza Region football boys' champions, are brimming with confidence following their unbeaten run as they prepare to challenge for top honors at the 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Games. The prestigious tournament is scheduled to kick off next month in Thika, marking Yala's national football debut.

The Siaya County giants secured the Nyanza regional title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kisumu Boys in the final. This win capped an impressive campaign where they remained undefeated from the sub-county level all the way through to the regional championships, a testament to their consistent performance.

Yala's path to the regional championship was significantly impacted by a dramatic turn of events involving the defending regional champions, Agai High School. Agai High School was disqualified at the county stage following a successful appeal by Kisumu Boys, which found Agai guilty of fielding ineligible players. This opened the door for a new regional champion, an opportunity St Mary's School Yala seized.

Throughout their regional campaign, Yala showcased their strength and tactical prowess. They began by defeating Kisii County champions Sameta, followed by draws against Homa Bay County favorites Ringa Boys and Kisumu Boys. These results secured their spot in the knockout stage, where they proceeded to eliminate Maseno School in the semi-finals before ultimately edging Kisumu Boys in the final to claim the regional crown.

This unbeaten journey has significantly raised expectations for Yala as they head into the national championships. They have been drawn into a challenging Group A, alongside formidable opponents including former national champions Highway High School, Tenwek, and Tononoka. Often referred to as the Black Saints, Yala aims to capture the vacant football boys' throne in Thika, especially since the defending champions, St Joseph Boys Kitale, were knocked out at the county level.

Yala captain Stephen Ouma expressed the team's heightened motivation and belief, stating, "Winning the regional title has motivated us even more because we know what we are capable of. We have worked hard throughout the season and remained unbeaten. That gives us confidence going into the nationals." Ouma further emphasized their ambition, saying, "This will be our first time at the national games, but we are not travelling just to participate. Our target is to reach the final and, if possible, win the national title. We respect every team, but we also believe in ourselves."

Coach Calvince Onyango confirmed that his players have embraced the upcoming challenge and have intensified their preparations both on and off the pitch. "We have been preparing the boys mentally and physically because the national games are different from the regional competition," Onyango explained. He acknowledged the strength of their opponents, adding, "We know Highway are former champions and they deserve respect, but we are not focusing on one team. We are preparing for every match. The boys understand what is expected of them, and we believe we can compete against any opponent if we remain disciplined and play as a team."