Green Commandos and JOGA Crowned 2026 KSSSA National Football Champions

Kakamega School's Green Commandos and St Joseph's Girls Kitale, popularly known as JOGA, are the 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national football champions after dramatic boys' and girls' finals in Thika.

Boys' final: Kakamega School 3-2 St Mary's Yala

The Green Commandos reclaimed the boys' national crown with a thrilling 3-2 extra-time win over St Mary's School Yala at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy on 6 August. The victory ended a long wait for Kakamega School and delivered a record 13th national football title.

Kakamega started fast when Eugene Mbeleti headed in from a corner in the third minute. Collins Otieno levelled for Yala with a 36th-minute free-kick, and Edwin Ochieng put Yala ahead on the hour. Derrick Wanyonyi equalised in the 82nd minute, and Mbeleti completed his brace in the 110th minute to win it.

Girls' final: JOGA win on penalties

The girls' final was just as dramatic. Nyakach Girls led through Iddah Matara in the 28th minute, but Miriam Silali equalised for St Joseph's Girls Kitale two minutes later. With no winner after extra time, JOGA won the penalty shootout 7-6 to lift their first ever national girls' football title.

Next stop: East Africa Secondary Schools Games

Kakamega School, St Mary's Yala, St Joseph's Girls Kitale and Nyakach Girls qualified to represent Kenya at the East Africa Secondary Schools Ball Games in Morogoro, Tanzania.

Why school football matters

School competitions are one of the most important scouting grounds in Kenyan football. Many Kenyan Premier League and Harambee Stars players, including Collins Sichenje, who started at Green Commandos, first stood out in KSSSA tournaments. For players and parents, strong school football offers a pathway that keeps education at the centre.

Green Commandos back on top

Kakamega School's football team is one of the most famous in Kenyan schools sport, but it had not won the national title since 2018, according to The Standard. Coach Enock Lucheveli's side ended that wait in Thika, and Mbeleti's extra-time winner capped a final that showed the team's fitness and belief.

The East Africa challenge

Winning the national title earned a place at the FEASSSA (East Africa Secondary Schools) Games in Morogoro, Tanzania, but history shows how hard the regional title is. Kenyan boys' teams have won it only twice in 22 editions, most recently Barding in 2016. Ugandan schools such as St Mary's Kitende, Bukedea Comprehensive and Amus College have dominated, and Ugandan girls' teams have won every girls' title since 2019.

Kakamega School were drawn in Group C with Bukedea, Kyadondo and Tanzania's Urambo Day Secondary School. Lucheveli said the national title was mission accomplished and the focus had moved to the East Africa crown.

Why Ugandan schools are so strong

Ugandan schools football is highly organised, with many schools recruiting talented players and running full-time programmes with strong coaching. Kenyan schools that want to compete regularly at that level will need similar investment in coaching, facilities and competitive fixtures throughout the year, not just during the championship season.

A first title for JOGA

St Joseph's Girls Kitale's first national girls' title is a big moment for the school and for women's football in the North Rift. Girls' school football has grown quickly in Kenya, helped by competitions such as Chapa Dimba and the FKF Women's Premier League. JOGA's win shows that new schools can break into the elite.

Tips for students who want to be scouted

• Play in every school competition you can, from sub-county level upwards.
• Keep a record of your matches and goals, and ask your coach for honest feedback.
• Look after your studies: most scholarships and academy places still depend on good grades.
• Ask your coach about trials with local clubs during school holidays.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the 2026 KSSSA national boys' football title?

Kakamega School (Green Commandos) won, beating St Mary's Yala 3-2 after extra time.

Who won the 2026 KSSSA national girls' football title?

St Joseph's Girls Kitale (JOGA) won their first title, beating Nyakach Girls 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.