SCHOOLS. National rugby sevens champions Koyonzo seek elusive East Africa title

Branton Mulefu of Koyonzo in action against Vihiga at the national rugby finals in Kakamega. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Two-time Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) National rugby sevens champion Koyonzo Secondary School will be hoping to put last year’s East Africa disappointments when they play in their fourth finals this year.

The Western Region heavyweights will face off against arch-rivals Vihiga High School on Saturday in the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association (FEASSSA) rugby sevens finals.

The Kakamega County champions saw off Uganda’s Jinja Secondary School 17-7 to reach the finals after topping Group A unbeaten.

On the other hand, Vihiga thrashed Kitondo High 35-5.

In what will be a repeat of the KSSSA National finals and Western region finals, Koyonzo coach Elly Okwemba believes they will finally bag the elusive East Africa title.

Okwemba who respects Vihiga said he knows his opponents and how to break them when it matters most; in the finals.

Speaking ahead of the finals, Okwemba said they have the quality to compete at the top level and they can’t wait to return home as champions for the fourth consecutive time this year.

“I am pleased with the way the boys have adapted fully this year in Rwanda. Last year, it was our first time and the boys lacked experience but now we see the fruits of never giving up.

“In Tanzania, it was a round-robin affair which is not always fair because the title is being decided with points and goal differences but this year we have seen pooling which creates interesting match-ups and do-or-die matches that we thrive on.

“Vihiga is a familiar foe whom we have played regularly and we expect nothing less but to win again,” said Okwemba.

The last time they clashed at the KSSSA national rugby 7s finals on August 11 at the BullRing grounds in Kakamega, Koyonzo humbled Vihiga 22-12 to retain the title.

The finals will be curtain-raised by the third-place playoff featuring Kitondo High School and Jinja SS of Uganda.