Stage set for national amputee football trials in Eldoret

Professional football amputee, Mohamed Munga in a past coaching clinic. [File]

A thrilling two-day amputee football national trials awaits fans in Eldoret from tomorrow to Sunday.

At least 14 counties are expected to take part in the nationals trials at the Eldoret National Polytechnic playgrounds.

Hosts Uasin Gishu are ready for the trials, which will help pick the national team for the Africa Para Games set for Ghana in September.

In 2021, Kenya’s amputee football team advanced to the quarter-finals of the Cecafa Amputee World Cup qualifiers after thrashing Zanzibar 5-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Kenya finished sixth at the last Cecafa qualifiers (2021) after losing to Morocco in the qualifying match.

"The midfield, defense and attacking tools are working well and we expect victory," said team captain Arron Kipkoech.

Amputee footballers from Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Kisumu, Nakuru, Siaya, Bomet, Nairobi, Narok, Mombasa, Kiambu and Machakos are expected to participate in the national tournament.

Eldoret is playing host to the second para games trials. In May, it staged the National Sitting Volleyball national contest. The team will also represent the country at the 2023 African Para Games from September 3-12.

The Uasin Gishu amputee team said they feel inspired by their para volleyball men's team, which emerged winners at the trials in Eldoret.

National team doctor, who is also the Uasin Gishu Amputee Football Federation chairman Geoffrey Okoth, said his side will capitalise on home advantage as they seek to give good show.

Okoth said Uasin Gishu's squad has been training at the Eldoret Polytechnic in the past week.

“We are expecting a tough challenge because teams from nearly 17 counties will be battling at the national trials. The last national trials were held in Nairobi in the run-up to the 2021 Cecafa championships. Every team will want to have more players in the national team for the Ghana Para Games,” the team official said.

"We have the home advantage and our Uasin Gishu squad has been training at the venue of the trials. We expect a national team by July 30, and hope that several of our players will make the team.”

Uasin Gishu team tactician, Brian Owuor, said the amputee team draws big inspiration from their para volley team.

"The para volley team did very well and our team feels challenged and inspired by their win," said Owuor.

"The Amputee Football squad has had adequate training and are going for victory at the trials," said Owuor during their preparations at the Eldoret Polytechnic sports grounds.

"We have been training well and we are ready for the trials. The winning attitude has kept us going."

"The boys are responding well in training and we expect quality play, nothing short of victory."