Tigoi Girls hunt historic national hockey three-peat in Kisumu

Head coach Moses Erima says the reigning national champions are in good shape and will go all out for the crown.

The Vihiga-based school won their first national title in 2024 in Machakos, dethroning former champions Nyamira Girls before successfully defending it last year in Mombasa.

“Expect us to be national champions once again this year. We are going to Kisumu knowing that we need to retain the trophy, and we will give everything,” said Erima.

Tigoi defended their Western region title last weekend, beating Sheiywe Secondary School from Kakamega 3-1 on post-match penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Erima described the triumph as extra motivation toward their quest to defend their national crown.

“Western is a powerhouse in sports, especially hockey and winning the regional title gives us extra motivation because you meet a tough opponent in the final.”

Although they have been reigning supreme locally, Tigoi have come short of winning the East African title twice finishing as runners up behind Kenyan compatriots St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale in 2025 and third place in 2024.

That is something Erima is also working to achieve, but the primary job is completing their three-peat first at the national level.

The experienced tactician says they have no fitness concerns with training hitting top gear ahead of the national extravaganza.

“We are still putting up final touches, but we are ready to go. I’m glad we don’t have major injury concerns, only minor injuries that will heal within two days,” added Erima.

Tigoi are in a tricky Pool 'B' alongside East Africa reigning champions St. Joseph's Girls Kitale, 2023 champions Nyamira and Coast’s St. Charles Lwanga.

Pool 'A' consists of Nyanza’s Ng’iya Girls, Central’s M-pesa Academy, Nairobi region’s Mwiki Secondary School, and AIC Nyayo from Eastern.