St. Joseph's Girls Kitale are the new Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) girls' football champions after edging 2019 winners Nyakach Girls 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in the final played at M-Pesa Foundation Academy Pitch A on Thursday.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe victory handed the Trans Nzoia County side their first ever national girls' football title, capping a memorable campaign under head coach Mary Muthoni, whose side held their nerve from the penalty spot after 120 minutes of entertaining football failed to separate the two teams.The final brought together two sides that had already faced each other in the group stage, with both showing why they had earned a place in the championship match.##NAJAVA_MECA_9878591##Nyakach kicked off the contest and immediately looked determined to stamp their authority on the game.The Nyanza champions, boasting several national team players in their ranks, moved the ball confidently with Iddah Matara orchestrating most of their attacking moves.Their passing sequences were crisp and purposeful as they patiently searched for openings in the St. Joseph's defence.Joan Ogola, one of the tournament's standout performers, threatened inside the opening five minutes after breaking away down the right wing before beating her marker, only for Andenyi Triza to intercept her dangerous delivery into the box.KSSSA: How past regional failures fuelled Mohammed Bajaber-inspired Takaba Mixed's historic runThe final continued at an exciting pace with both teams willing to attack. Atieno Sheryl delighted the crowd after bringing down a high ball with an excellent first touch before nutmegging Ayieko Conny and driving forward, drawing loud cheers from the spectators.As the opening half progressed, St. Joseph's gradually settled into the match. Pearl Olesi and Flevia Khatete worked tirelessly in midfield to deny Nyakach time on the ball, but the Nyanza champions continued to threaten through Matara and Beryl Awuor, who repeatedly stretched the defence from the flanks.KSSSA: How former Kenya Simbas star is fueling Cardinal Otunga's historic runTheir persistence finally paid off in the 28th minute. Emily Adhiambo unleashed a shot that goalkeeper Violet Moraa failed to hold onto, allowing the alert Matara to react quickest and slide home from close range for the opening goal.The lead, however, lasted only two minutes.St. Joseph's responded almost immediately after winning possession in a promising area.Miriam Silali calmly controlled the ball before lifting a composed finish over the advancing goalkeeper to level the scores at 1-1, sparking wild celebrations among the Kitale supporters.Neither side managed to find another breakthrough before the interval as referee Benson Otieno brought an entertaining first half to an end with the scores level.##NAJAVA_MECA_9878440##St. Joseph's began the second half with renewed energy and nearly completed the turnaround two minutes after the restart when Purity Nachesa attempted to lift the ball over goalkeeper Lavine Akinyi, only to see her effort drift wide.Moments later, Joan Ogola responded with an attack at the opposite end, but her effort also missed the target.Nachesa remained a constant threat for the Kitale side, producing an excellent run down the right flank before beating her marker, although her inviting cross was comfortably collected by Lavine.Despite facing sustained pressure for long spells, Nyakach's experienced backline, marshalled by Rising Starlets defender Genevieve Mitchel alongside Emmaculate Adhiambo, stood firm to deny St. Joseph's a second goal.KSSSA: More Kenyan teams approved by FEASSSA to feature in East Africa GamesSensing the need for fresh legs, Nyakach coach Chrispine Odindo introduced Purity Nyanchama, while Muthoni also turned to her bench, bringing on Ivy Atieno for Khatete in search of a winner.Nyakach came close midway through the second half after Beryl Awuor floated a dangerous cross towards Junior Starlets teammate Ogola, but Ruth Nanjala read the danger well and cleared before the striker could connect.St. Joseph's were later forced into an injury change after Valentine Alivitsa was stretchered off, with Jane Mwangi coming on in her place.The clearest chance to win the match in normal time fell to Nyakach in the 70th minute when Nancy Anyango released substitute Purity Nyanchama through on goal.Goalkeeper Violet Moraa, however, raced off her line to make a vital intervention and keep the scores level.With neither side able to find a decisive goal, the final moved into extra time.FKF President breaks silence on future of Harambee Starlets coachFatigue began to show as both teams struggled to maintain the intensity that had characterised the opening stages, although neither coach was willing to settle for penalties.Nyakach continued to probe through Matara and Ogola, while St. Joseph's looked dangerous on the counter attack.Matara was booked deep into extra time after fouling Miriam Silali as tensions rose during the closing moments, but even after 120 minutes the two sides could not be separated, sending the championship to a penalty shootout.Olesi confidently converted St. Joseph's opening penalty before Emmaculate Adhiambo responded for Nyakach.Khatete and Matara both converted their efforts to leave the contest finely balanced.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: Gor Mahia's blueprint that saw them reach CECAFA Kagame Cup finalThe turning point came in the third round when Beryl Okumu's penalty for St. Joseph's was saved, but Nyakach immediately failed to capitalise after tournament top scorer Joan Ogola also saw her effort kept out by Moraa.Purity Nachesa restored St. Joseph's advantage before Genevieve Mitchel calmly converted for Nyakach.Both sides continued converting their spot kicks, with Emily Adhiambo keeping Nyakach alive before Ayieko coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to pile pressure on Penina Okoth, who responded with an equally composed finish.Silali then stepped up to score St. Joseph's seventh penalty before Nyakach matched it once more, taking the contest into sudden death.##NAJAVA_MECA_9878469##Nelly Njeri calmly dispatched St. Joseph's eighth penalty, leaving Awuor needing to score to keep Nyakach alive.The midfielder, however, failed to convert, sparking jubilant celebrations as St. Joseph's sealed a 7-6 shootout victory to write a new chapter in the school's history.