Excitement is building as heavyweights and underdogs seek to prove themselves with the KSSSA Term Two games beginning at county level today in Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Kisii, and tomorrow in Siaya.

Predominantly known for its explosive football rivalries and mammoth fan following, the Term Two games will also offer thrilling contests in rugby, volleyball, netball, racquet games, and basketball 3×3, running until Saturday.

From favourites like Kisumu Day, St Mary’s Yala, Asumbi Girls, Kisii School, Nyakach Girls, and Ng’iya Girls, to underdogs like Onjiko, Gethsemane, Lieta, Ringa, Oriwo, and Dirk Allison, the wheat will be separated from the chaff this week in the respective categories.

Kisumu Girls, Kisumu Boys, Kisumu Day, and Moi Stadium will host the Kisumu County games. St Mary’s Yala will welcome the Siaya County finals, while Mbita High School will host the Homa Bay County games. In Kisii County, teams will converge in Nyamache.

In Kisumu County, all eyes will be on defending champions Kisumu Day School, who lifted the title last year after edging Agai 2-0 in the final played at Maseno School.

As hosts and current champions, Kisumu Day will look to dominate Group A, where they face Kasagam, Muhoroni High, Ngere Boys, and Olembo Boys.

Kisumu Day coach Booker Odhiambo is confident in his squad’s ability to retain the title and go even further this year.

“We have prepared well and we are taking one game at a time. The boys are focused and hungry to succeed. We know the expectations are high, but we are ready,” said Odhiambo.

In Group B, Kisumu Boys will be out to prove a point after falling short last season. They will face familiar rivals Agai, along with Lela Mixed, Dago Kokore, and Onjiko in what promises to be a tight contest.

Otieno Oyoo Secondary School are also determined to make their mark again in rugby sevens. They were surprise finalists last year, narrowly losing 7-0 to Maseno School, but still progressed to the Nyanza Regionals, where they finished third and qualified for nationals.

Principal Boaz Adit believes they are ready to repeat or even improve on that performance.

“Last year was historic for us, and we’ve worked hard to maintain that momentum. We were disappointed in Term One when our rugby 15s team didn’t make it past the county level, but we have regrouped and we’re confident in our sevens squad,” said Adit.

The rugby sevens boys’ competition will be fierce, with four pools featuring traditional powerhouses and rising schools.

Otieno Oyoo are in Group B with Magwar Model and Thurdibuoro, while Kisumu Day face tough competition in Group D against Onjiko, Masogo, and Muhoroni. Defending champions Maseno headline Group A.

In Siaya, former East Africa football champions Barding High School will renew their rivalry with St Mary’s School Yala in Group B, which also comprises Got Agulu and Maranda.

Last year, Yala lost 1-0 to defending champions Ambira in the finals played at Chianda High School.

The Siaya County finals hosts were crowned champions in football, basketball 3×3, volleyball, rugby sevens, and racquet games during the Gem Yala Sub-County games — successes they will be keen to replicate at county level.

After a mixed and disappointing run during the KSSSA Term One games, where they failed to reach the national finals played at Shanzu in Mombasa, Yala are keen to do better.

“This term we are ready. The school is hungry for success in sports just as we are always in academics. These boys are the future of Kenya and I am glad to be part of their journey to the top,” said Yala Principal Victor Makanda.

In basketball 3×3, defending champions Ng’iya Girls will be seeking to repeat last year’s feat when they went all the way to the national finals.

Pooled alongside Rangala Girls, Nyawara, Aluor, Nyamira, and Kandira, Ng’iya Girls basketball coach Naftali Ambala said they are ready for action.

“It felt nice to be at the nationals and the girls want to experience the same feeling this year. Nothing is impossible and we know we need to win our matches early and save our energy for the tough knockout match-ups,” said Ambala.

In Homa Bay, a new champion will be crowned in boys’ football after defending champions Agoro Sare were knocked out during the Rachuonyo South Sub-County games by low-key Karabok High School.

With last year’s losing finalists Tonga also out, Our Lady of Mercy Ringa Boys — who headline Group C alongside Tom Mboya and Paul Mboya — remain clear favourites.

Giant slayers Karabok, who are in Group A with Gethsemane and Homa Bay, will also be in the mix. Group B comprises Mirogi, Mugendi, and God Marera.

Nyanza Region basketball 5×5 champions Asumbi will be keen to return to the national finals in basketball 3×3 when they take on Wire and Osodo in Group B.

Asumbi were at the national finals in Mombasa during the Term One games and will hope to replicate the same form in the shorter version of the game.

In Kisii, Nyagichenche will also be hoping to go all the way to the East Africa finals, as they did last year during their first time playing rugby sevens.

The Kisii County girls’ rugby sevens champions headline Group A alongside Ayora and Bobaracho.

Last year, Nyagichenche finished fourth at the nationals after bagging silver at the Nyanza Region finals.

Kisii School, on the other hand, will be going for the boys’ rugby title, while Sameta have their eyes on retaining their football crown.