Schools: Nashivanda leads Nginda’s trophy hunt

Nginda High School's Monica Mwangi (down) tackes Cynthia of Akinyhi Nyakach Girls High School during Secondary School Game football match at Kenyatta Stadium, Kisumu County on August 4, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Harambee Starlets Under-20 midfielder Foscah Nashivanda will have her work cut out as she leads Nginda Girls in pursuit of this year’s Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association girls’ football title.

Nashivanda guided her side to a third-place finish at the national games earning them a ticket to Musanze, Rwanda for this year’s regional contest.

Nginda beat Kobala Mixed 3-2 in the third-place playoffs.

It was sweet revenge for the Central Region champions who lost 4-0 against Kobala at the group stage.

Nginda coach Harrison Otolo expressed confidence in Nashivanda saying she is an experienced player.

“She is the most experienced player we have in our team and we all have confidence in her leadership abilities,” Otolo said.

Nginda will be seeking to improve on their sixth-place finish in 2016. They did not qualify for last year’s games.

Otolo said they will be battling for the East Africa title but will work together with other Kenyan coaches to ensure they return home the trophy won by Wiyeta last year.

“We are determined to win the East Africa title for Kenya and ensure it remains in the country for a second year in a row. Together with other coaches, we will work as a team to ensure we all progress because we are plotting for an all-Kenyan final.”

They are in Group C alongside last year’s finalists Kawempe Muslim and Gaddafi Integrated from Uganda as well as home girls E.S Shwemu.

Kwale Girls are in Group A. [Elizabeth Mburugu]