National girls football champions, Wiyeta Girls are looking beyond the regional show as the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Rift Valley games get underway this morning in Nyahururu, Laikipia County.
The Trans Nzoia-based school, which has dominated the secondary school games, will be seeking to represent the larger Rift Valley region at the nationals.
Fourteen counties are battling for a single slot to represent Rift Valley in next month's national games in Kakamega County.
The East Africa runners-up will rely on striker Edna Wanda, Sheila Adonga (midfielder), Lorine Ilavunga (defender), Sharon Omwangale (defender) and goalkeeper Velma Auma to deliver the victory.
The five players were part of the national under-18 women's team that was supposed to feature in the postponed Cecafa Championships.
Wiyeta head coach Edgar Manyara is confident of defending their title despite being in the group of ‘death’ in the event which runs to Saturday.
“For us, we don’t fear any team but we respect them. If you look at the pool, it has the biggest names in the country in terms of girls' football but we shall overcome,” he said.
Wiyeta leads Pool 'A' alongside former national champions Itigo from Nandi, Falling Waters, and Nasokol (West Pokot).
“Many schools have invested in soccer and we are not going to underrate any team,” said Manyara.
He said Wiyeta have had many build-up matches ahead of this week's event. He said school games are the best way to market students’ talent in football.
“As a teacher and a coach, I feel so happy that I have players good enough for national competitions and beyond,” he noted.
"We have prepared our students mentally, physically and emotionally for the school games,” he said.