Champs St Anthony's, Wiyeta keen to defend national titles

St. Johns Kaloleni Secondary School's Mwanaidi Karisa vies for the ball with with Judith Musimbi (right) of Wiyeta Girls during their Secondary School Games football match at Moi Stadium, Kisumu County on August 6, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

St Anthony’s Kitale and Wiyeta will be on a mission to retain their boys’ and girls’ Under-16 national football titles.

The duo is hoping to reign supreme at this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term Two A games that begin next week at Shimo La Tewa School, Mombasa.

The two were crowned champions in last year’s finals at Kangaru School, Embu. This year, they remain on course for a double after triumphing at the Rift Valley Region games.

St Anthony’s and Wiyeta returned to their original Rift Valley home this year after four years in the now defunct Nzoia Region.

In what promises to be one of the toughest contests with the likes of Kakamega, Upper Hill, Passenga, and Kisumu Day also battling for top honours, the champions will have to be at their best.

St Anthony’s Peter Mayoyo said their main objective is to retain the title.

“We are ready and determined to defend our title because we have been working very hard and the trophy will be a reward for the effort we have put in,” Mayoyo said.

However, he added that they don’t expect to have it easy because their opponents will be out to dethrone them.

He added that even though they cannot write off any team, rivals Kakamega of Western, Kisumu Day of Nyanza, Ramisi of Coast, and Upper Hill of Nairobi are threats to their ambitions.

St Anthony’s were unbeaten during the Rift Valley games and will rely on the services of striker Elly Saenyi for glory.

Attacking midfielder Ken Mwendwa and Lucas Maina will take charge at the centre, while Ramadhan Hamisi will want to remain stoic in defence.