Reigning rugby 15s champions All Saints Embu are determined to retain their title at this year’s Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games that begin on Thursday in Kakamega.
Having lost their national trophy to Vihiga High School during the National Term One games, All Saints will have everything to play for as they seek to extend their East Africa reign to two years in a row.
Team coach Benson Mwenda said that his charges are in great form and ready to make amends and successfully defend their title.
“We definitely have to defend the trophy because we can’t afford to let it go after losing our national crown. We were not at our best during the national games, but we have worked on areas that we struggled with, and I believe that we are in great form and ready to give our best,” Mwenda said.
He added that they have been intensely training in readiness for the challenge and are now doing their final touches.
“Losing our national title was heartbreaking, but it reminded us that we needed to work harder. We were glad to qualify for the East Africa games because it meant that we had a chance to defend our honour. The boys have been working very hard to ensure that they make the best out of this rare opportunity that we have to retain our title,” said Mwenda.
All Saints suffered a shock 12-3 defeat to Kisii School at the national semi-finals to relinquish their crown, which was eventually won by Vihiga.
With their trophy gone, they fought on to beat former national and East Africa champions Upper Hill 19-5 in third-place play-offs to secure a podium finish.
They will launch their title defence in Group B, which has compatriots Kisii School and Ugandan representatives Busoga College Mwira and Kings College Buddo.
All Saints will lead three other Kenyan sides in a quest for a clean sweep. Last year, they were the only Kenyan medallists after Kitondo School, Lenana School, and Butula Boys High School finished fourth, fifth, and eighth.
On the pools, Mwenda noted that together with other Kenyans, they will be out for a good start in order to enhance their chances of advancing to the knockouts.
“Both pools are balanced because we have two representatives from each country. With a good strategy, we can have more teams in the semis so we can increase the chances of the trophy remaining at home. However, it’s not going to be easy because Ugandans have come out strong and will be out to make it difficult for us,” he concluded.
National champions Vihiga are in Group A, which also has 2018 national and East Africa champions Upper Hill, who return to the games after years in the cold. Uganda’s Jinja Secondary School and East Africa regulars Namilyango College will also be battling for semis slots in the pool.
