The knockout stages are slowly taking shape at the 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term Two Games after two days of intense rugby sevens action produced the quarterfinal pairings, while the basketball 3×3 competition narrowed down to the final four teams in both the boys' and girls' categories.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe boys' rugby sevens competition has lived up to expectations, with several former champions safely navigating the preliminary stage to book places in the quarterfinals.Nairobi representatives Upper Hill School recovered from a nervy opening 7-0 victory over All Saints before edging Anjego 19-14, finishing the pool stages unbeaten following a narrow 10-7 win over Western Region champions Bokoli Boys.KSSSA: Former champions Highway silence Yala but Menengai dash semi-final hopesBokoli also progressed after victories over Anjego (21-5) and All Saints (28-5), despite their late defeat to Upper Hill.Rift Valley champions St. Antony's Kitale maintained a perfect record in the group stage, defeating Kirangari 24-0, Nairobi School 14-5 and Njabini 15-7 to underline their title ambitions.Former national champions Laiser Hill Academy also advanced despite suffering a surprise 7-5 defeat to Nyanza champions Cardinal Otunga Mosocho in their final pool match. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9878447##Before that setback, Laiser Hill had comfortably beaten Tononoka Secondary School 38-5 and Kitondo School 24-0.Western Region runners-up Butula Boys were among the standout performers of the preliminary round. They defeated Kamuiru 33-7 before recording successive shutout victories over Kwale High School (10-0) and Mutige (40-0) to qualify with confidence.Kwale High bounced back from their defeat to Butula with victories over Mutige and Kamuiru, while Cardinal Otunga completed an impressive group campaign that included wins over Kitondo, Tononoka and tournament favourites Laiser Hill.KSSSA: Junior Starlets duo combine for 11 goals as ruthless Nyakach hit Kiarithe for 20 to storm into semisThe quarterfinals promise several mouth-watering contests. Upper Hill will face Kirangari, Cardinal Otunga take on Kwale High, unbeaten St. Antony's Kitale meet Bokoli in arguably the tie of the round, while Butula lock horns with Laiser Hill in another heavyweight encounter.Girls' RugbyThe girls' rugby sevens championship has also produced several compelling storylines as defending champions Kinale Girls continued their title defence in impressive fashion.The Central Region champions began by overwhelming Gituamba 36-0 before thrashing Muvuti 50-7. They completed the preliminary phase with arguably their most significant result, defeating Western Region champions Kimobo Girls 27-5 to top their group.##NAJAVA_MECA_9878469##Former champions St. Joseph's Girls Kitale maintained their unbeaten run through victories over Mwatate (36-0), Sigoti (12-0) and Itigo Girls (10-7). Their narrow victory over Itigo highlighted the fine margins that have characterised this year's competition.Western Region champions Mbakalo Girls were equally impressive, recording commanding victories over Mbagathi Girls (31-0), Karima (34-0) and Moi Forces Academy (33-0) to emerge as one of the tournament favourites.Eastern Region champions St. Teresa also progressed after defeating Nyagichenche 17-10 before beating Karen C 12-7 and Gatundu 36-0.KSSSA: From borrowing bus fare to watch volleyball, Mwitoti star dreams of building an academy back homeNyanza representatives Nyagichenche recovered from their opening defeat to St. Teresa with convincing victories over Gatundu (36-5) and Karen C (31-0) to reach the knockout stage.Wednesday's quarterfinals will see defending champions Kinale face former champions Itigo Girls in one of the headline fixtures. Mbakalo will take on Nyagichenche, JOGA meet Kimobo Girls, while St. Teresa face Mbagathi Girls.Basketball 3×3 Semifinalists ConfirmedThe basketball 3×3 tournament also reached the knockout stages, with the quarterfinals producing several tightly contested matches.##NAJAVA_MECA_9878430##In the boys' category, Western Region champions St. Peter's Mumias survived a major scare before edging Mang'u High School 18-16 to keep their title defence alive.Nyanza champions St. Mary's School Yala continued their impressive campaign by eliminating Dagoretti High School 14-10, while Agoro Sare High School comfortably defeated Shimo la Tewa 21-8.Cheptil completed the semifinal line-up after a commanding 17-3 victory over Tuk Jowi.KSSSA: Kesogon set up blockbuster clash with Kwanthanze as volleyball semis line-up is confirmedThe boys' semifinals will therefore feature defending champions St. Peter's Mumias against St. Mary's Yala, while Agoro Sare take on Cheptil for a place in the national final.Girls' 3×3 BasketballThe girls' quarterfinals produced equally competitive contests.Central Region champions Ikutha Girls edged Western Region champions Tigoi Girls 12-11 in the closest match of the day.##NAJAVA_MECA_9878441##Rift Valley representatives St. Joseph's Girls Kitale produced one of the standout performances, defeating Coast Region champions Kaya Tiwi 21-9 to reach the last four.Olympic High School advanced after overcoming Asumbi Girls 14-10, while Kaya Secondary defeated Laiser Hill 18-13 to secure the remaining semifinal berth.With the semifinals scheduled for Wednesday, the race for the national titles has intensified across both disciplines.
149