The much-anticipated Nyanza Region Secondary Schools Sports Association NRSSSA boys’ football final pitting Koderobara and Matutu PAG will go down today in Kisumu County. The encounter, according to NRSSSA secretary Tom Odhiambo, will be played behind closed doors.
“A decision has been reached to have the game at a neutral venue and without fans,” Odhiambo said. Teams are expected to arrive in Kisumu by 8 am. This decision follows an appeal that was lodged against Matutu PAG by Agoro Sare which was dismissed. Agoro Sare had claimed that Matutu PAG fielded ineligible players during their abandoned semi-final match. The semi-final, played at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho, was abandoned in the 75th minute owing to crowd trouble after Matutu PAG had built a 2-0 lead at the time.
Koderobara coach Jacob Aloo is confident that his side will finally lay their hands on the trophy at the fifth time of asking. “The boys are ready for the final. Even though it has been delayed for some days, it will not affect the team’s spirit,” said Aloo. Koderobara confirmed their final berth with a convincing 2-0 win against favourites Ambira in the semi-finals.
Matutu PAG coach Joseph Ongoro admitted that his team is the underdog in the match. “This is our second appearance at the regional championships…I’m happy that we have reached the final but we are not the favourites,” Ongoro said. He, however believes that his team can surprise everyone and lift the title despite missing three first-team players who were injured during the semi-final chaos. In the accident, Ongoro himself sustained a dislocated shoulder.
“We are not afraid of Koderobara despite the challenges we are currently facing. It’s our first time to appear for regional finals,” Ongoro added. He lamented that NRSSSA and the Ministry was not giving more time so that his players recover fully before the final. “They should have pushed the finals to sometime next week because some of my players are still nursing injuries,” Ongoro commented.
The final is poised to be a mouthwatering affair pitting Koderobara against Matutu PAG, as both teams strive to claim the Nyanza Region Secondary Schools football title.