Ebwali eye Western Region School Games football title

Ebwali head coach Nickson Manaka has reassured the fans that his side is capable of returning to the secondary school national football championships despite the challenges the team has been facing this year.

Manaka whose side had a bumpy campaign at the county stage, losing the opening match 1-0 to Kisangula and failing to defend their County Term Two Games title this year, says after qualifying for the western region games his focus is on addressing the mistakes so that he can make it to the nationals.

Emusire Boys denied Ebwali the County football bragging rights when they beat the 2021 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association national champions 3-1 in the Vihiga final played at Chavakali High School last month.

The two teams booked their slots in the Western regional games set for next week and Manaka believes they have tools to hurt their opponents.

“Our preparations have proceeded well. Mainly working to address the defence lapses I noticed during our County football championships,” said Manaka.

The team has been playing friendly matches with other established teams in preparations for regional competitions to be staged in Kakamega County.

Ebwali will miss the services of striker Derrick Oketch and Kelvin Ochieng who are nursing injuries.

“Derrick Oketch will not feature in this year’s competition after he was operated on. I am closely monitoring Kevin Ochieng who only featured at the Sub-County level to see whether he can return at the regional.”

“In football you must expect anything hence we have been trying other players in the injured ones’ positions to keep our hopes alive,” he added.

Manaka will have an opportunity to convince over expectant Ebwali fans that he can fit in the shoes of his predecessor Francis Muhambe by ensuring the team goes past regionals.

“My main task will be to minimize mistakes we made, forget the past and forge ahead for the better of the club this season.”