Ready for a standout comeback on the East African stage is Kobala
Kobala Secondary School Returns to East Africa Games, Aims for Finals
Kobala Secondary School is making a strong comeback to the East Africa School Games (FEASSSA) in 2025, having qualified as the fourth Kenyan side by finishing fourth at the National Term Two games. The school's football team is determined to reach the finals this year, after years away from the regional stage.
Coach Julius Aminga has stated that their main objective is to reach the final, and their preparations have been positive. The team has been training intensively in a camp setting to improve on weaknesses identified during national competitions.
Kobala's historical performance includes their debut in 2015, where they participated but were absent for several years before this return. They have previously been national contenders and are considered underdogs in this edition after losing many players the previous year. However, they remain motivated to compete strongly at the regional level.
The main regional rivals for Kobala in this year's East Africa School Games include Uganda’s St Noa, the defending champions, and other Kenyan teams such as Kwale Girls, who last won the title in 2018. Additionally, Highway Secondary School, the newly crowned national boys' football champions from Kenya, are also participating in the tournament, representing tough competition in the boys' category.
Kobala Secondary School football team is in Group B alongside Butere, Archbishop Njenga, Fountain Gate from Tanzania, Amus College, and Boni Concilli from Uganda. Madira Girls, who return to the games, will also be in the mix, competing in Group A together with Alliance Secondary from Tanzania, St Noa, Kawempe Muslim, and PSSB Huye from Rwanda.
Coach Aminga will rely on the services of attacking midfielder Sheila Awuor, Beffine Shalley on the right-wing attack, striker Khadija Furaha, defender Brenda Awuor, and goalkeeper Scovia Awuor.
The East Africa games will feature teams from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. Last year, Butere Girls High School came close to recapturing the title but fell short after losing to St Noa in the final. Kobala Secondary School football team lost to Nasokol Girls High School in post-match penalties after their third-place play-offs duel ended in a 1-1 draw.
Coach Aminga revealed that his team is excited to return to the FEASSSA games after many years of failed attempts. Kobala Secondary School football team, along with three other Kenyan teams, aims to dethrone Uganda's St Noa and recapture the title last won by Kwale Girls in 2018.
Although Kobala Secondary School aims to excel in sports, particularly football, in the East Africa School Games, they are also committed to promoting health, education, and self-development among their students. The school's intense training camp not only prepares the football team for the regional competition but also fosters discipline and teamwork, essential components in education and personal growth. Additionally, the school has high hopes that the success in sports will serve as a platform to promote their achievements in health, education, and self-development.
