St Joseph Girls Kitale eye elusive national title in Mombasa

St Joseph's Girls, Kitale hockey player Getrude Nabwire (left) battles for the ball with Mpesa Academy Foundation's goalkeeper Gennifer White. [File, Standard]

East Africa hockey girl's champions St Joseph's Girls, Kitale are a team in a mission.

The Rift Valley heavyweights are planning to go for the elusive KSSSA national hockey girls' title this year when the Term One games kick off at Shanzu TTC next month in Mombasa.

Commonly referred to as JOGA, St Joseph who averaged 13.8 goals per match during the Rift Valley Region School games that were hosted in Eldoret earlier this month are confident of winning.

Speaking to the Standard Sports, JOGA hockey head coach John Lusaka said they are more organised and have built excellent team chemistry that makes their offensive play fluid, an advantage they want to capitalise on and score goals that he believes will get them wins.

JOGA, who scored 69 goals at the regional finals, will face off with hosts St Charles Lwanga, AIC Nyayo, Mwiki Secondary School in Group A.

"It's been an impressive year for us. The girls are just on fire, scoring at free will and I expect the same to continue in Mombasa," said Lusaka.

"The goal remains the same, to win the national trophy. Last year we came home with bronze but our quality was evident in Uganda when we brought home the East African title. We want to repeat the same feat but this time also including the national trophy."

St Joseph hammered Nakuru Girls 18-0 in the finals to win the Rift Valley Region hockey girls' title earlier this month.

This is after seeing off Moi Kaptagat 9-1 in the semi-finals and knocking out Tengecha 15-0 in the quarter-finals. In the preliminary group stages, JOGA registered 13-0 win over Ndururumo and 15-0 win over Baracka School Kajiado.

At the same time, defending national champions Tigoi Girls will be keen to retain their gong.

The Western Region heavyweights will headline Group B alongside giant killers Ng'iya Girls from Siaya, Coast Region runners up St John's Kaloleni and Mpesa Academy from Central.