Little-known Friends School Anjego will make their national secondary school's rugby 7s debut when the competition gets underway on Tuesday next week at Kisii School.
Under the tutelage of principal and coach J.J Masime, the hitherto unknown school overcame challenges to make it to the nationals.
They bagged a ticket for nationals at the expense of giants Maseno School, Agoro Sare and Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho.
Anjego sealed a place at the nationals despite a 24-7 loss against St Mary’s School Yala in the final at Cardinal Otunga High School Mosocho two weeks ago.
Masime is now dreaming big. “It will be the first time for the players at the nationals. Of course, I expect them to suffer from stage fright but I’m confident they will pick up,” said Masime.
He added: “At Cardinal Otunga during the regional championships, we had a slow start because we drew against Agoro Sare but we gained momentum and went all the way to the final.”
Masime has challenged his charges to be among the teams that will represent Kenya at the East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association extravaganza in Mbale, Uganda.
“Our initial target was to reach the nationals which we have achieved. I don’t want to put the boys under pressure but a slot in the East Africa games is achievable,” said Masime.
However, Masime said he needs to work on the boys’ conversion rates. “We have a problem with kicks because we don’t have the long posts. However, we have to improvise and work on it because it’s very critical, especially in 7s,” said Masime.
Masime previously guided Machakos Boys High School, Maseno School, Nduru Boys and now Friends School Anjego to the nationals.
The rugby Sevens draw will be done at Kisii School. The rugby 7s lineup was completed following the conclusion of the Western Region Championships at St Peter’s Mumias.
National and East Africa regional champions Koyonzo High humbled Vihiga High 24-7 to defend the regional title.
Nyanza will be represented by St Mary’s Yala, Friends School Anjego, Kisii School and Otieno Oyoo. Nyanza being host has been given four slots since the Northern region will not field a team in rugby 7s. Koyonzo and Vihiga Boys will represent the Western region.
St Mary’s Lusungani and Malindi Boys will represent the Coast region. Other teams that will take part in the competition are Upper Hill and Nairobi School (Nairobi region), Kabianga and Bwake Boys (Rift Valley ), Meru School and Kangaru High (Eastern), MPesa Foundation Academy and Alliance High (Central).