Usenge shock St Mary's Yala to be crowned Siaya County football champions
Unique Sports
By
Washington Onyango
| Jun 25, 2023
Usenge High School are the 2023 Siaya County Secondary School football under-19 champions.
Usenge were crowned champions on Saturday after seeing off heavyweights St Mary's School Yala 1-0 in the finals played at Maranda High School.
St Mary's Yala who picked a 1-0 win knocked out defending champions Barding at the semifinals stage. On the other hand, Usenge defeated Wagai 2-1 to reach the finals.
As Barding bows out and will watch the Nyanza Regional finals from the touchline next month, St Mary's Yala will be on the field alongside Usenge.
Yala qualified by virtue of being a school from the host county.
According to the rules, the host county is allowed to field two teams in each category and therefore Yala who finished runners up qualifies for the regional finals that will be hosted at Maranda High School and Nyamira Girls. Passenga School 's Peter Njoroge (left) battles for ball possession against Benjamin Ojiambo of Barding during the National Secondary School Games at Moi Stadium in 2016.[Dennis Okeyo,Standard]
In football girls, it was heartbreak for Hawinga Girls who fell short once again. Instead, Lwak Girls emerged champions and will represent Siaya alongside Jera. Lwak won the final 2-0.
In volleyball, Raliew and Nyangoma are through to the regionals as girls will be represented by Nyakongo and Aluor Girls.
In netball, four time national champions Obambo Girls won the county title and will play alongside Kandaria in the regionals.Obambo saw off Kandaria 22-19 in the finals.
St Mary's Yala and Ambira Boys will do duty in rugby sevens as Ngiya Girls and Barchando represent in girls 3x3 basketball. Chaianda and Usenge will represent boys in basketball.
Siaya County Secondary School Sports Association chairman Ngala Mbuor congratulated all the winners and rallied all the qualified teams to start early preparations for the regional games set for July 18.
Speaking to the Standard Sports on Sunday, Ngala who is the Principal of St Patrick's School Segere believes Siaya County schools will do well at the regionals but only if they start preparing now.
"It was a very busy, tense and competitive county games finals that saw new stars rise and conquer giants. Congratulations to all the winners but the job is not yet done.
"Preparations need to start now for the regional games. We are just roughly 23 days away from the finals and we must be ready. Finally, we have no losers. This was a healthy competition where we learn from each other and I believe next year it will be better," said Ngala.
2023 Siaya County Secondary School games champions
Football
Boys-Usenge
Girls-Lwak
Volleyball
Boys-Raliew
Girls-Nyakongo
Basketball 3x3
Girls-Barchando
Boys-Chianda
Rugby 7s-Yala
Netball-Obambo