Western Region football giants Musingu High School are confident of finally ending their 41-year wait for the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national boys’ football title as they prepare to host this year’s finals in Kakamega County next week.
The last time Musingu lifted the national trophy was back in 1984, and expectations are high among fans in Western Kenya as the team readies itself for another shot at glory on home soil.
Musingu’s preparations hit a minor bump yesterday after they suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Bukembe High School in a friendly match.
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However, assistant coach and technical bench member Clifone Lugalia remains optimistic, insisting the team is learning from the setback rather than dwelling on it.
“We know where we fell short in that friendly. It was good for us to test ourselves and identify weaknesses early. We are not panicking. The team is very strong, even better than last year’s squad. The depth we have gives us an edge,” Lugalia said.
Last year, Musingu agonisingly missed out on the title after falling to Nairobi’s Highway High School in a post-match penalty shootout during the final in Kisii. That defeat has become a key motivator for the current crop of players.
“Losing in the final last year hurt us a lot, but it also gave us lessons. This year we are more focused and mentally stronger,” Lugalia added.
The Western champions have been drawn in Group A alongside newcomers Agai High School from Nyanza Region, Wajir High School from North Eastern, and Moi High School from Eastern Region.
Agai, making their debut at the nationals, stunned Kisumu Boys to qualify after former Nyanza champions Koderobara High failed to make it out of the regional stages. Musingu will be wary of the unknown factor posed by the debutants.
“There are no pushovers at the nationals. Every team here deserves respect. We will take every match one at a time,” Lugalia said.
“Our first game is key — winning it will give us the momentum we need for the rest of the tournament.”
The assistant coach added that the team is paying special attention to how they approach matches against unfamiliar opponents like Agai High.
“We don’t know much about Agai, but we have been preparing to adjust quickly during matches. We must avoid surprises,” he noted.
Musingu’s aim is to top their pool and earn a favourable semi-final draw, potentially avoiding heavyweights in Group B.
“Our plan is simple: finish top of the group, book our place in the semis, and then focus on the bigger prize. We want to make Kakamega and Musingu proud,” Lugalia said.
In Group B, defending champions Highway High School remain the team to beat.
The Nairobi-based side faces stiff competition from Rift Valley champions St Joseph Boys Kitale, Coast’s Serani High School, and Central Region’s Kirangari High School. Kirangari reached the semi-finals last year and narrowly lost 2-1 to Highway.
Despite the presence of strong challengers, the former AFC Leopards and Mmust FC defender believes home support could be the extra push they need to end nearly four decades of heartbreak.
“The rivalry among schools has been intense, sometimes turning bitter, but our boys are ready for the task,” Lugalia said.
“There has been a lot of rivalry between schools, and sometimes that brings negative energy.
“But we’ve talked to the boys. They are focused. We’re going to make Kakamega proud. We’re going to make Musingu proud.”
Kirangari will be hoping to go one better after reaching the semis last year, where they narrowly lost to Highway 2-1. With experience and hunger, they could be one of the surprise packages of the tournament.