“We are back where we belong” Nyamira Girls eye redemption at Kisumu Nationals

After a year’s absence from the national stage, Nyamira Girls are back and carrying with them a familiar aura of belief, ambition, and unfinished business.

Once crowned national and East African champions in 2023, the Nyanza-based side returns to the 2026 KSSSA Term One National Games in Kisumu as Nyanza runners-up, determined to reassert their place among Kenya’s elite in girls’ hockey.

For head coach Dennis Kigai, the return is more than just qualification, it is a statement.

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“We are happy to be back, because that is where we belong. The return signals our resolve to keep nurturing talent and competing at the highest level.”

Nyamira Girls’ recent history is one of both excellence and disruption. In 2023, they reached the pinnacle, winning the national title before extending their dominance to the East African stage, where they were crowned champions in Huye, Rwanda.

A year later, they returned to the national final but fell to Tigoi Girls, marking the end of that cycle.

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Then came 2025, a rare setback. Nyamira failed to qualify for the nationals after losing to Ng’iya girls in the Siaya county games, breaking their momentum and forcing a reset.

But rather than derail the program, Kigai believes that period became a turning point.

“Failing last year taught us not to be complacent. It also taught the team patience despite the challenges. On that background, the team is now more hungry for success.”

While the hunger remains, Kigai is clear that this is not a continuation of the old team, it is a new generation with its own identity.

“Same winning mentality but with a different playing style. Having been champions still steers the team. We are the best,” says Kigai.

That confidence is not rooted in past achievements alone, but in a deliberate rebuilding process.

“We usually rebuild after every season, winning or losing. This is a new team ready for their own exploits.”

Nyamira’s return has been backed by a structured preparation approach, blending competitive matches with mentorship.

“We’ve played a number of build-up matches and invited former players for mentorship and training.”

This connection between past and present has helped maintain the program’s identity while accelerating the development of new players.

Interestingly, Kigai resists singling out individuals in his squad.

“I wouldn’t point out any player. All are very key, they work as a unit," a reflection of a team-first philosophy that has long defined Nyamira’s success.

Heading into the nationals, Kigai has identified key areas for improvement, details that could prove decisive in tight matches.

“We need to utilize the chances that come our way and be more aggressive, especially in penalty corners.”

In high-level tournaments where margins are minimal, such refinements often separate contenders from champions.

Nyamira Girls have been drawn into what many are calling the tournament’s toughest group Pool B. But rather than shy away from the challenge, Kigai welcomes it.

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“I love being in such pools. At the end, you must beat the best to be the best—and we are ready for it.”

It is a mindset shaped by experience at both national and regional levels, where pressure is not avoided, but embraced. The psychological aspect of Nyamira’s return is equally significant.

“The team is upbeat and mentally ready. Qualifying has reawakened their resolve,” says Kigai. “The former champions tag makes the team believe that they are the best. Last year’s loss was just a slip and it happens.”

That blend of confidence and perspective could prove crucial in Kisumu.

For Nyamira Girls, success at the nationals is not just about reclaiming a title, it is about reopening the pathway to East African competition.

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“Success will give us the impetus to do even better going on to repeat the 2023 feat of becoming FEASSSA champions.”

As the countdown to the Kisumu nationals continues, Nyamira Girls arrive not as underdogs, but as a team with pedigree, purpose, and a point to prove.

They have known the highs of East African glory, the pain of missing out, and the discipline required to rebuild.

Now, back on the national stage, they are ready to write a new chapter, one that could see them rise once again to the summit of school hockey.