The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Ball Games after an action-packed day of semi-final matches in football and volleyball at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika.
The boys’ football final will feature two of Kenya’s traditional school football giants after St. Mary’s School Yala and Kakamega High School secured hard-fought victories in their respective semi-finals.
St. Mary’s Yala, popularly known as the Black Saints, booked their place in the final with a 2-0 victory over tournament surprise package Takaba Mixed Secondary School from Mandera,Takaba had impressed throughout the tournament but fell just short against the experienced Nyanza champions.
The second semi-final produced one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament as Kakamega High School, popularly known as the Green Commandos, came from behind to defeat Menengai High School 2-1 after extra time wth Daniel Ombati scoring the killer goal .
Menengai had forced the match into extra time after equalising to make it 1-1 in regulation time, but Kakamega’s experience proved decisive as they scored the winner to secure a place in Thursday’s final.
In the girls’ competition, Nyakach Girls delivered a commanding performance to defeat Raila Education Centre 4-0, sealing their place in the national final.
Joining them will be St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale from Trans Nzoia County, who edged Archbishop Njenga Girls 1-0 in a tightly contested semi-final to keep the county’s hopes of lifting the national title alive.
Trans Nzoia will also be represented in the girls’ volleyball final after Kesogon Girls Secondary School produced an outstanding performance to eliminate defending champions Kwanthanze Girls.
Kesogon won the match in straight sets 25-21, 25-16 and 25-20, completing a convincing 3-0 victory. The Rift Valley champions dominated from the opening whistle, with Ruth Atabo emerging as one of the standout performers through her impressive attacking display.
Kesogon will now face Soweto Girls, who defeated Mwitoti Girls 3-1 in the second semi-final to book their place in Thursday’s championship match.
The boys’ volleyball final has also been confirmed after Chepsaita Boys and Chesamisi High School secured victories in their semi-final matches.
Chepsaita from Uasin Gishu defeated Matiliku Secondary School in straight sets to become the first finalists, while Chesamisi High School overcame Masara School to set up a Rift Valley -Western Kenya showdown.
Speaking after the victory, Chepsaita assistant coach Jason Kwalia expressed confidence ahead of the final, saying his team is targeting a 3-0 victory over Chesamisi,acknowledging that his players experienced moments of inconsistency, particularly in spiking, but said those areas would be addressed before the championship match.
Meanwhile, KSSSA Secretary General David Ngugi confirmed that the FEASSSA Games will be held in Morogoro, Tanzania, from August 14 to 22, 2026.
He explained that Kenya will be represented by three teams in disciplines where the country won the Feasssa in 2025, while two teams will qualify in disciplines where Kenya did not produce the champions.
With national titles and East African qualification places on the line, Thursday’s finals promise an exciting climax to the 2026 KSSSA National Ball Games in Thika.
