Coach Edwin Luche is carried shoulder high after leading Kakamega High to the Western region triumph against Musingu/HANDOUT
The games are set for August 2-6 at the MPesa Foundation Academy in Thika, Kiambu county.
Kakamega High, the most successful school in the national championships, return after eight years in the cold.
“We are back to where we belong. I’m happy to have been part of the technical bench that has helped Green Commandos to the national championships,” said Luche.
Other members of the technical bench are newly appointed Shabana first assistant coach Hesbon Nyabinge, Eric Muranda, Cliffton Lugalia, Samuel Oindo, and Eric Chisutia.
Luche joined Kakamega High in 2024 and was tasked to lead the Green Commandos to the nationals. During the regional finals, Kakamega beat Musingu High 2-0 to lift the title.
“We have achieved one of our tasks. However, there is a bigger challenge lies ahead: winning the national championships and playing in the East Africa finals,” said Luche.
He admitted the task is tough but achievable.
“We are not underestimating any team at the nationals. Being regional champions, they deserve to be at the nationals. The boys are aware of what is expected of them. They are ready to conquer,” he remarked.
The Green Commandos are is drawn in Pool ‘B’ alongside Tumaini from Eastern, hosts Ruthagati and Takaba from North Eastern.
Pool ‘A’ — the ‘group of death’ — features former champions Highway Secondary, Nyanza champions St Mary’s School Yala, debutants Tenwek High from Rift Valley and three-time coast champions Tononoka High.
Luche added: “We respect our opponents in the group. However, we want to win all our games. We must, however, work extra hard and smart.”
The tactician is grateful to the school management, led by the Chief Principal Aliva Luvaso, for facilitating the team's ambitions as well as KSSSA for picking MPesa Foundation to host the games.
“The school has the best facilities. The boys will enjoy playing there. They will exhibit their entertaining football during the nationals,” he noted.
All semi-finalists will qualify for the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA).
“We played Ugandan schools Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College in friendly matches. We know how they play; they are beatable,” added the tactician.
The East African championships will be held in Morogoro, Tanzania, from August 13 to 23.
