Nyakach Girls during a training session in Kisumu/ANGWENYI GICHANA

Former national secondary schools’ champions, Nyakach Girls Secondary School, have set their sights on lifting the Girls Access to Education (GATES) Super 16 tournament, which kicks off on Thursday in Kisumu.

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Head coach Chrispine Odindo said the tournament presents both a competitive and evaluative platform for his side. “As much as we want to lift the trophy, we also want to gauge our team and test different formations. We won the national title in 2019, and our target is to reclaim the trophy,” said Odindo.

The tournament, featuring 12 teams, will be staged at Kisumu Day High School, Kisumu National Polytechnic and Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, running from today through Sunday.

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Among the headline acts are three-time national champions Butere Girls High School, Rift Valley giants St Joseph’s Girls Kitale and Nyanza champions Kobala Mixed Secondary School.

“It is a good tournament because it has attracted teams that we normally meet at the regional and national levels. It’s good preparation for the KSSSA Term Two games,” Odindo added.

Nyakach Girls headline Pool A alongside Magina, Saye and Kwanza. In Pool B, St Joseph’s Girls Kitale will battle Kobala Mixed, Andersen School and Mwira, in what Kobala team manager Julius Aming’a has termed the “pool of death.”

“All the teams are good. We have many objectives going into the tournament. Winning is one of them, and we have what it takes,” said Aming’a.

Aming’a revealed they have invited Mildred Cheche, the national Under-17 football team coach, to attend the tournament.

“We want the national coach to widen the net and capture talent from across the country. The girls have an opportunity to showcase their abilities and earn a call-up to the national team,” he noted. Pool C features Butere Girls, Kachar, St Barnabas Girls and Lwak Girls. Meanwhile, the annual Super Eight boys’ tournament kicks off on Friday at Kakamega High School and Bukhungu Stadium.

Former national champions St Anthony’s Boys High School, Kitale, Kakamega School and Highway Secondary School are in Pool A alongside Nyanza heavyweights Kisumu Day High School.

National champions St Joseph’s Boys High School, Kitale, headline Pool B, which also includes Kirangari, Butere Boys and St Mary’s School, Yala.