St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale (JOGA) football team head coach Francis Ojilo is confident his squad can clinch their first-ever national football championship at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term Two School Games. The tournament is set to take place from August 2 to 6 at the M-Pesa Academy in Thika.
After a year away from the national competition, JOGA secured their return by defeating Nasokol 3-1 in the Rift Valley regional final earlier this month. Ojilo emphasized their goal is to surpass their previous best performance in 2024, where they exited in the semifinals.
Strong Competition Expected
Ojilo acknowledged the tough challenge posed by established teams like Nyakach Girls and Archbishop Njenga, each with a national title to their name. The reigning champions, Butere Girls, will not participate this year, opening up the field further.
"We will treat every match as a final and prepare meticulously, as no opponent should be underestimated," Ojilo said. He warned his players against complacency, stressing that all teams competing have the quality to win.
Preparation and Group Stage
Training sessions have intensified, with final preparations including friendly matches scheduled just before departure to Thika. JOGA has been drawn into Pool A, alongside Nyakach Girls from Nyanza, Kayatiwi from the Coast, and host team Thika Girls.
Ojilo remains optimistic about his team’s readiness and prospects at the national event.
