Peter Mayoyo, the head coach of St. Antony Kitale, remains confident and undaunted by the rise of Shanderema Secondary School’s football team, known as the new giant killers in the region.
Shanderema recently secured a resounding 3-0 victory over Musingu High School in the Western Region finals, earning them a coveted ticket to the upcoming nationals in Kakamega. However, Coach Mayoyo believes that the pressure of hosting the tournament will be a significant challenge for first-time contenders.
Acknowledging Shanderema’s prowess, Coach Mayoyo emphasized that the national competition operates on a different level, and the weight of being the host can be overwhelming, particularly for newcomers.
While praising his team’s performance in the Rift Valley region finals, where ‘The Saints’ triumphed with a 3-1 win over Christ the King Secondary School from Kajiado, Mayoyo attributed the victory to his players’ adherence to team tactics.
The experienced tactician noted that the toughest match they encountered was against Menegai, a formidable team with a cohesive lineup. However, the final was a relatively easy win for St. Antony Kitale. As they prepare for the national championship scheduled to commence on August 8, the five-time national champions plan to camp in the western region to acclimatize themselves.
Coach Mayoyo expressed satisfaction with their defensive performance, having conceded only two goals while netting an impressive 72 goals. He emphasized the team’s dedication to continuous improvement, particularly in their attacking strategies, with a focus on capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
As the anticipation builds for the nationals, St. Antony Kitale remains determined to uphold its legacy and secure further success on the grand stage of school football. Coach Mayoyo’s unwavering confidence in his team’s abilities sets the stage for an exciting and fiercely competitive tournament.