Nyakach Girls head coach Chrispine Odindo believes lack of experience at the regional level has been the biggest factor behind his side’s uneven start at the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Games in Morogoro, Tanzania.The Kisumu based Plateau Queens arrived at the regional showpiece with a reputation as one of Kenya’s strongest schoolgirls football sides after finishing runners-up at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Games.##NAJAVA_MECA_9901361##Their opening matches, however, have exposed a gap the experienced tactician believes can only be closed through more exposure.Nyakach opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Uganda’s Jinja Progressive Academy before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Rines Secondary School, also from Uganda.They responded strongly against Tanzanian side ZIBA, securing a 3-0 victory to revive their campaign.Speaking to Mozzart Sport after the win over ZIBA, the coach said the perception that Nyakach are among the tournament favourites has placed expectations on a group that is still learning how to handle high-level regional competition.“People may see us as one of the strongest teams, but while we have good talent, we do not have as much experience as some of the other teams here,” he said.The problem was laid bare in their heavy defeat to Rines, a match he feels could have produced a different result had his players possessed greater experience in handling key moments.“Experience comes with exposure. We have been working hard to identify and nurture the best talents, but sometimes you can have the ability to win a match and still struggle when the game demands experience and composure. That is something we are still developing,” explained the Nyanza Regional games championThe setback against Rines has, however, offered lessons that the team is already beginning to absorb.KSSSA: St. Joseph's Girls upset favourites Nyakach to lift maiden national football titleThe emphatic response against ZIBA, coupled with the chances created during the contest, has restored some confidence inside the camp.“So far, we are doing well and picking up. We started poorly, drawing our first match and losing the second because of a few technical issues, but we are improving with every game,” he offered.Ironically, Nyakach have several players who have already gained experience on the international stage through Kenya’s Junior Starlets programme.The school has supplied goalkeeper Vallary Achieng, defenders Idah Matara and Sheila Atieno, midfielder Beryl Awuor and forward Emily Adhiambo to the national Under-17 side.Adhiambo has already tasted international competition, scoring Kenya’s equaliser against Uganda in Kampala during the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.Joan Ogola has also emerged as one of Nyakach’s leading attacking threats.EADB backs FEASSA games with KSh11.6m sponsorshipThe Junior Starlets forward scored six goals during the team’s emphatic 20-0 demolition of Kiarithe Girls at the KSSSA National Games before continuing her scoring run in Morogoro with a brace against ZIBA.Jenevive Mithel, another product of the Nyakach system, has similarly progressed through the Junior Starlets pathway and into the Rising Starlets setup.Despite the pedigree within his squad, the coach believes the international experience of some of his players has not yet translated fully into the performances he expects at FEASSSA.FEASSSA: Junior Starlets forward Joan Agola brace sends Nyakach close to knockout stageThe Junior Starlets contingent missed Nyakach’s regional campaign because they were away on national team duty and only rejoined the squad at the national games.It left limited time to build the same understanding with teammates who had carried the team through the earlier stages.“The Junior Starlets players came in and bonded well with the rest of the squad, although the process was not complete because we expected a lot from them. They have not yet given us their best, and we want them to show the same level they have consistently displayed with the national team,” he explained.While demanding more from his players, the tactician was equally quick to acknowledge the quality of their latest opponents.FEASSSA: Green Commandos star reveals how indiscipline nearly ended his football careerZIBA, based in Tabora, pushed Nyakach despite eventually losing 3-0, with the Tanzanian side impressing the coach through their technical approach and ability to keep possession rather than relying solely on physical football.“The match was tough because ZIBA are a good side. They are physically strong and tactically organised, but we managed to contain them by playing our own game,” Odindo added.“They were different from some of the teams we have faced because they were comfortable keeping the ball and playing tiki-taka rather than relying on power play. That made the game more tactical, but we are grateful to have secured the win.”##NAJAVA_MECA_9901594##The scoreline could have been even wider, according to the Queen's tactician, who felt his side wasted several opportunities before finally putting the game beyond ZIBA.“We scored only once in the first half despite creating many chances. We could have converted more of those opportunities and possibly won the match by seven goals, but the most important thing was getting the win,” he added.The victory has breathed new life into Nyakach’s campaign, but the challenge now shifts to maintaining that momentum as the competition enters a decisive phase.The Plateau Queens return to action on Tuesday morning against Rwanda’s Huye, with the team looking to turn the lessons from their opening matches into another commanding performance as they continue their pursuit of the FEASSSA title.FEASSSA: Yala youngster using football to open doors for forgotten talents back at home
92