St Joseph's Kitale to face hosts Bukedea in FEASSA opener in Uganda

Kenya’s St Joseph’s Boys Kitale will open their Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) football title hunt against hosts Bukedea Comprehensive School of Uganda on Sunday.

The game will be played immediately after the opening ceremony.

St Joseph’s popularly known as Jobo, have been drawn in a tough Pool ‘A’ which also features defending champions St Mary’s Kitende, Kenya champions Highway Secondary and Benjamin Mkapa secondary from Tanzania.

St Joseph's coach Amos Juma said he has rectified the mistakes that saw them finish third at the nationals and they are ready for the regional showpiece.

“We want to bring the trophy home. I have rectified the mistakes we made at the nationals and done a lot of strength training because Ugandans are more physical,” said Juma.

Jobo will bank on Instil Simiyu for goals. He was the top scorer at the national championship with eight goals.

St Mary’s Kitende have won the regional championship 14 times. Barding (2016) and St Anthony’s Kitale (2002) are the only Kenyanteams to have lifted the regional crown. 

Highway will miss the services of head coach Beldine Odemba, who is heading to Ethiopia with Kenya Police Bullets for the Cecafa Zonal qualifier for the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Highway will rely on Humphrey Aroko, who was voted Most Valuable Player at the national championships.

Pool ‘B’ features Kenya’s Musingu High, Rwanda’s Ape Rugunga, Tanzania’s Kalangalala and Uganda's Amus College and St Julian. Musingu coach Brendan Mwinamo said the pool is tough.

“The pool has experienced teams but we are also up to the task. The boys were disappointed after losing the national title but that is behind us. We now want to go for the regional title,” said the experienced coach.

In girls’ football, Kenya’s Nyakach Girls and St Joseph’s Girls Kitale have been pooled in group ‘A’ alongside St Noa and defending champions Kawempe Muslim from Uganda, and GS Remera Rukoma Kamonyi from Rwanda.

Kenyan champions Butere Girls will face a herculean task in Pool ‘B’ alongside Amus College and Rines from Uganda, Alliance and Tanzanite  (Tanzania).

The Kenyan teams will seek to emulate previous winners Arch Bishop Njenga, Wiyeta Secondary, Kwale Girls, Tartar Girls, New Jogoo Road and Jera Mixed.

Kawempe Muslim will be seeking their fourth title. The other team with four regional titles is Arch Bishop Njenga. Butere Girls coach Tobias Ojenge has vowed to win the regional title.

“Last year, we lost to Kawempe Muslim. However, I believe this time, we are better prepared and experienced. Our target is to lift the trophy,” said Ojenge.