Debutant Ebwali upbeat about E. Africa school games victory

Ebwali Secondary School who are the new Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) boys’ football champions have promised to bring home the East African Games football trophy from Arusha, Tanzania.

But for that to happen, the little-known institution from Western Kenya appealed to sponsors to support them in the course.

The school Principal Barack Nyanja gave the players plaudits for a job well done, saying he is confident they will keep the candle aglow in the regional championship.

He reiterated that if the team gets good sponsorship, it will have the potential to do Kenya proud in Tanzania.

“We are appealing to the prospective sponsors to come on board and help our football team as they head to Arusha for the East African Games.

“My boys who are the new Kenyan Secondary football champions have promised to give the event their all and it’s upon the sponsors to play their part by offering subsidy to the team,” said Nyanja.

Nyanja described his boys as humble go-getters who come from humble backgrounds within Vihiga.

“The boys are from disadvantaged families but possess the immense talent and the eagerness to change the life of those around them. That is their driving force in success.

“We have three players who rarely go home due to the status back there; they prefer to stay with their coach during school holidays.

“They are very poor and any sponsorship both tuition and sport-wise will be of great help,” the Principal said.

He went on: “Once Form Ones are admitted, the head coach carries out trials and recruits young players who are thirsting for success,”

However, he reckoned that the school has not been posting good results academically in recent years but believes the success in football will soon be replicated in the same.

The school supremo has expressed hope that the glory in football will change a lot of things including increased enrollment, funding and largely good academic results.

Ebwali is currently dominating the talk in the world of football after clinching the national secondary schools’ football championship.

The school status defines of a humble institution that has gone beyond its means to realise its football glory.

It was established way back in 1965 and currently has a population of 400 students.

Ebwali qualified for the national championships after Bukembe Secondary School were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player during the Western Regional finals.

Ebwali edged Nairobi Highway 1-0 in the finals to clinch the first position in the championships held in Nakuru County.

The Western region side also defeated Rift Valley’s Kabarnet Boys 1-0 in a pulsating final.

Tom Osekio scored the all-important goal barely five minutes into the match following a free kick.