Schools: Langata High School eye boys' volleyball title

Langata High School's Eric Mailu (centre) against Benson Kamau and David Nyoike of Rithu Mitu Mixed. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Nairobi Region Secondary schools boys' volleyball champions Langata will be in Kisumu next week to complete what they began last year.

This is according to their coach Francis Mwangi, who is eager to see his charges excel at the nationals and book a ticket to this year’s East Africa games set for next month in Arusha, Tanzania.

Langata will be making their second appearance at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association national Term Two games and are eager to improve on their 2018 fifth-place finish.

“We are among the lucky few who secured a return to the national games from last year’s competition,” Mwangi said.

He, however, remained cautious saying every game at the nationals will be a final for him.

“Most teams will be making their debuts but we will not underrate them because all teams have top players who can match us. We need to give our best in every match.”

Mwangi will rely on the services of right and left attackers Ezra Kipng’etich and Amon Kipkorir, centre attackers Makvilous Munala and Vincent Kiplimo as well as setter Titus Kibet and libero Erick Musyoka.

They are among the lucky three who have so far secured their return the national showpiece after most of last year’s contestants fell along the way.

Nyanza champions Moganga PAG and Shimoni from Coast will also be making another attempt to win the national trophy while Furaha Mixed put their title on the line as North Eastern Region games begin today at Takaba Boys School, Mandera County.

Mogonga, Shimoni and Langata finished third, fourth and fifth respectively and are favourites going into the 2019 edition after last year’s winners Malava and finalists Kapkenyeloi crashed out at the sub-county and regional levels.

Langata are in Group B with Namwela from Western, Matiliku from Eastern and North Eastern.

Mogonga are in Group A with Shimoni and Lelmokwo from Rift Valley and Tetu.