The chilly Thika weather could not cool the fire burning inside the country's top school footballers as the 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Games kicked off on Sunday at Mpesa Foundation Academy.With the stakes as high as ever and tickets to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Games in Morogoro, Tanzania on the line, St. Mary's Yala and Highway Secondary School opened their campaigns with important victories.##NAJAVA_MECA_9872196##Making their maiden appearance at the national championships, St. Mary's Yala looked anything but newcomers as they brushed aside Rift Valley champions Menengai High School 2-0 in a captivating Group stage encounter on Pitch A.The Nyanza champions weathered an evenly balanced first half before finding their rhythm after the break, with Brian Javan Omondi stepping into the spotlight.Omondi broke the deadlock in the second half after Yala's patient build up finally unlocked the Menengai defence before doubling the advantage later in the game to cap a dream debut for the Black Saints.Goalkeeper Johnstone Raudye inspired confidence from the back, while: Castro Fidel, Collins Otieno, Gift Madhira, Ferdinand Okoth, Jeonia Agutu, Luckas Aseka and Austine Juma ensured Yala controlled possession whenever they surged forward.Menengai fought bravely through goalkeeper James Omondi and defenders: Sydney Anyika, Kevin Shamwana and Graham Ikhulu, while Luis Wasike, Joshua Mutunga, Joshua Kimanzi and Griffin Sholei searched for an equaliser."I'm not a plumber": Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor hits back at criticsHowever, the Rift Valley side's hopes melted away after going behind when their captain was shown a straight red card, leaving them to battle with ten men.Yala took full advantage of the numerical superiority, with Omondi grabbing his second goal to seal all three points.On the neighbouring Pitch B, defending champions Highway Secondary School also made a winning start, edging returning national contenders Tononoka High School 1-0 in a tightly contested affair.Ian Nzise proved the difference between the two sides, his decisive strike ensuring the holders began their title defence on a positive note.Harambee Stars defender suffers injury blow in EnglandThe opening day's results handed both St. Mary's Yala and Highway Secondary School an early advantage in the race for knockout qualification, but with several matches still to come and FEASSSA tickets at stake, the battle for national supremacy has only just begun.If the first whistle was anything to go by, Thika may be cold, but the chase for the KSSSA crown is already red hot.
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