It's mental battle for Asumbi Girls ahead of nationals

Newly-crowned Nyanza basketball queens Asumbi Girls High School is a team with confidence.

Despite being majorly composed of Form Two students, the Homa Bay County champions are not afraid of playing national champions Butere Girls High School from Western, St Joseph’s Girls Kitale from Rift Valley and Mpesa Academy from Central in Group B.

According to their coach Ephraem Ochieng, Asumbi who, will be making their debut at the Brookside national secondary school games, are going for the kill.

Ochieng, who helped Asumbi win their first regional title last month, is keen to achieve another feat with his team in Mombasa.

“We are ready for the nationals. The girls are really motivated and eager to show the nation their talent and that they did not get to where they are today by mere luck, but hard work,” said Ochieng.

“We have a young team that can go toe-to-toe with any team in terms of endurance and speed. After all, it all comes to mental strength and this team is a hard working bunch of girls ready to win.”

Asumbi saw off Ng’iya Girls High School last month to be crowned the new champions, dethroning Ototo Mixed Secondary School who did not make it to the regionals.

“We know we are the ultimate underdogs in our pool. But that will work for us because we have no pressure. The girls are going to express themselves freely and I like that,” added Ochieng.

Meanwhile, former champions Kaya Tiwi will headline Group A that also has Nairobi champions Olympic Secondary, Ikutha Girls and North Eastern.