Eugine Beleti, Green Commando's midfielder. He scored the decisive goal which saw them clinch the KSSSA national boys football title 2026. Photo Credit: Tim Sande
In a heart-pounding clash of titans that lived up to its billing as a “Mashemeji Derby” of school sports on Thursday, August 6, 2026, Kakamega School’s Green Commandos reclaimed their throne as national kings, defeating St. Mary’s Yala’s Black Saints 3-2 in a grueling extra-time thriller at the fully packed M-Pesa Foundation Academy stadium in Thika.
The victory, which saw the Western region giants overcome a second-half deficit, solidified their reputation as “perennial winners” after eight years of absence from the national limelight.
Extra-Time Drama Decides the Title
The championship was decided in a dramatic first period of extra time when Eugine Beleti’s strike took a decisive deflection, wrong-footing Yala’s goalkeeper to find the back of the net.
Despite a desperate late surge from the Black Saints—including a golden opportunity for Fidel Castro that went agonizingly close in the dying minutes—the Green Commandos held firm to spark off wild celebrations in Kiambu County.
The match ignited in the opening minutes when Kakamega School lived up to their “Commandos” moniker by scoring a lightning-fast early goal. St. Mary’s Yala refused to buckle, finding an equalizer before the interval through Collins Otieno, who buried a spectacular free kick that left the Kakamega defense rooted to the spot.
The momentum shifted toward the Nyanza-based Saints in the second half. Receiving the ball in the box, Edwin Odhiambo—the tournament’s group-stage hat-trick hero—slotted home to give Yala a 2-1 lead.
With their title hopes fading, Kakamega turned to their bench for inspiration. The move paid off late in regulation time when substitute Derrick Wanyonyi rose highest to connect with a cross, burying a powerful header to make it 2-2 and force the match into a tense 30-minute extra time.
Physicality and Heartbreak
The encounter was a grueling physical battle, characterized by a flurry of yellow cards issued to players like Brighton Nacheri and Anthony Onyango, as officials fought to maintain order. Yala suffered significant heartbreak in the closing stages as their captain was forced off with an injury, hampering their quest for a late equalizer.
“Nashukuru tu Mungu. Juu bila Mungu hatungefika hapa!” (I really thank God. Without him we would not make it here)
Derrick Wanyonyi
Following the conclusion of the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national games in Thika, focus now shifts to the 23rd Edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games from August 13 to August 22, 2026, in Morogoro, Tanzania, with the two teams set to represent Kenya.
