Nyamira Girls have wasted no time in announcing their intentions at the 2026 FEASSSA Games in Morogoro, and head coach Dennis Kigai believes the Kenyan side has both the hunger and experience to reclaim the regional girls' hockey crown.The former champions opened their campaign with the biggest victory of the first round of girls' hockey matches, sweeping aside hosts Arusha Meru 6-0 to immediately put themselves among the early contenders for the title.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsFor Kigai, however, the result was more than just three points and a healthy goal difference.“The big win came as a big morale boost. We've had great preparation as we gear up to win this year's trophy,” said Kigai.The emphatic start comes after a painful finish to Nyamira's KSSSA national campaign, where they finished runners-up to St Joseph's Girls Kitale.The Nyanza side had taken the national final to the wire, holding JOGA to a goalless draw before losing in a post-match shootout. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9894249##The narrow defeat ultimately left Nyamira as Kenya's second-placed team, but their performance confirmed their ability to compete at the highest level of the domestic school game.The national championship result is also part of a wider resurgence for Nyamira, who have continued to establish themselves among Kenya's leading girls' hockey schools.Kigai sees the national silver medal as evidence that his players belong on the regional stage.“The podium finish in usually highly contested Kenyan finals is indeed a testament of our proven ability to compete to the highest level. We are here to lift the EA trophy,” he said.That ambition is backed by history.Nyamira Girls are former FEASSSA champions, having won the regional title in 2023. FEASSSA 2026: False start for Kakamega as Kenyan champions fall to Ugandan sideThat success remains an important reference point for the current generation, but Kigai believes it is the hunger to repeat that achievement rather than simply the memory of it that is driving his players in Morogoro.“Having won the 2023 FEASSSA trophy, this year's competition comes at a better time. The team is hungrier to achieve the fete that was achieved by their compatriots. The girls know that it is possible. That alone is their biggest inspiration,” he said.Nyamira's opening-day performance has also strengthened Kenya's prospects of a strong showing in the girls' hockey competition.Alongside Nyamira's 6-0 victory, Ng'iya Girls defeated Uganda's Namagunga 1-0, while defending champions St Joseph's Girls Kitale began their title defense with a 4-0 victory over Tanzania's Benjamin Mkapa High School.The results have given Kenya a perfect start across its three opening fixtures, with the country's representatives yet to concede a goal.Kigai believes that could point towards a strong Kenyan challenge for the podium, although he is wary of Uganda's Kakungulu Memorial, who also began their campaign impressively with a 5-0 victory over Uganda's Gayaza.“Day one results points to a very possible 1,2,3 podium sweep by Team Kenya. This is what we are working for as Team Kenya,” said Kigai. “But 2022 champions Kakungulu Memorial are also in the mix, having also registered a big win on day one.”The presence of three Kenyan teams among the early frontrunners has created an interesting dynamic in Morogoro. FEASSSA: Why Morogoro local blames death of renowned MP for Tanzania’s decline in school sportsWhile the sides are representing the country collectively, they will eventually have to compete against each other if they are to reach the decisive stages of the tournament.For Nyamira, that is a challenge they are willing to embrace.“The other Kenyan teams stand on our way, a sweet challenge so to say,” said Kigai.The coach is also aware that the emphatic opening victory does not mean Nyamira have perfected their game.Despite scoring six goals, the team still sees room for improvement, particularly in the attacking third and from set pieces.“We have to improve on our clinical finish once in the shooting circle and perfect on penalty corners,” said Kigai.That could prove crucial as the competition progresses and the margins become smaller.Nyamira's path to Morogoro has already demonstrated how fine those margins can be. Their KSSSA final against St Joseph's Girls was decided only after a goalless 60 minutes and a post-match shootout, a reminder that possession and territorial dominance ultimately count for little without the finishing required to turn opportunities into goals.FEASSSA 2026: Mixed fortunes for Kenyan teams as Day One action concludes in MorogoroIn Morogoro, Nyamira have made sure their first statement was emphatic.The 6-0 victory has given them confidence, momentum and an early advantage in the race for the regional crown;More importantly, it has placed them firmly in the conversation alongside St Joseph's Girls, Ng'iya and Kakungulu Memorial.For a team that already knows what it feels like to lift the FEASSSA trophy, the objective is not simply to make another final.It is to reclaim the title and Kigai believes doing so would carry significance beyond another medal for the school.“It would be a great achievement to finish the tournament as FEASSSA champions once again. It would imply that we are on course in actualizing our vision of nurturing talents for national development,” he said.