Champs Trans Nzoia target East Africa title

Transzoia Mixed School's Mercelyn Andala celebrate their victory against against Tigoi Girls during KSSS Term 1 National games at Kangaru School Embu County on Saturday April 14, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

National girls’ hockey champions Trans Nzoia Mixed are eager to make their return to the East Africa secondary school games.

The 2015 regional silver medallists will be on a mission to complete a double after winning the Term One national title in April at Kangaru School, Embu.

Team captain Sharon Kasidi says that winning in Musanze, Rwanda will be a culmination of a journey they have steadily and religiously walked.

Desire to excel

“We walked to most of our competitions because it was the only way we could honour our matches. We are a small school and we were faced with numerous challenges but that did not deter us from achieving our goals,” Kasidi said.

Kasidi added that the desire to excel at the national and regional level inspired them to beat all odds and win the national title.

“We wanted to reclaim our national title and have a second chance to win the East Africa trophy. We already achieved our first target and we are now determined to complete the job in Rwanda.”

Trans Nzoia Mixed will be returning to the East Africa games after missing the 2016 and 2017 championships.

In 2015, they won the national title but were overshadowed by Sinyolo to finish second at the East Africa games held in Huye, Rwanda.

They failed to qualify for the national games in 2016 and 2017 but returned to reclaim the title this year following their 2-1 win over Tigoi in the final.

Exuding confidence, Trans Nzoia Mixed coach Joseph Onyango said they will settle for nothing less than the regional gong.

“We have worked very hard in training. The girls have given their all and I believe their efforts will finally pay off. They are fighters and their passion is what has seen them through because even when they had the reasons to give up, they kept fighting,” said Onyango.

“They walked to competitions and still won and now that they are close to making their regional title dream a reality, they are working harder.”

In Rwanda, Trans Nzoia will rely on the services of captain Kasidi and Doreen Nakhungu in defence; Caren Juma, Elsa Oginga and Sharon Oduka in midfield, while Beverlyne Akoth and Marceline Andala will be seeking to score goals.

Goalkeeper Filgona Were will be hoping to continue with her fine form in goal for the two-time national champions.

Onyango added that they expect stiff competition from their Kenyan compatriots Tigoi and four-time East Africa winners, Kerugoya.

However, he did not write off the Ugandans, who he said were coming up very fast, and could be a threat to their ambitions.

Trans Nzoia, Tigoi and Kerugoya will be out to extend Kenya’s hockey dominance in the absence of last year’s winners Sinyolo.