As the 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term Two Soccer Games kick off at Mpesa Foundation Academy Thika today, one team arrives carrying the weight of expectation, an unbeaten record and the confidence of a side that has quietly emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest dark horses.

St. Mary’s School Yala-the Black Saints, will be making their long-awaited debut at the national football championships after a remarkable campaign that saw them conquer every obstacle from the sub-county level to the Nyanza regional finals without tasting defeat.

For many, simply qualifying for the nationals would have been enough. For Yala, however, the journey has created belief that they can challenge Kenya’s traditional school football giants and perhaps go all the way.

Led by head coach V.O. Makanda, the Siaya County giants have built their success on discipline, teamwork and defensive solidity. Their unbeaten run has not been built on luck but on consistency, with the team producing mature performances whenever the stakes have been highest.

Their road to National began at the sub-county championships, where they defeated Ulumbi Secondary School before settling for a 1-1 draw against Argwings Kodhek Secondary School to qualify for the semi-finals. They then brushed aside Uranga Secondary School 3-0 before edging Argwings Kodhek 1-0 in the final to lift the sub-county title and launch what has become a historic campaign.

The Black Saints carried that momentum into the Siaya County Championships, where they continued to dominate. A commanding 3-0 victory over Ndenga Secondary School underlined their intentions before the tournament was disrupted by security concerns that forced organisers to move the knockout matches from Siaya town to Maseno School.

The change of venue did little to slow Yala’s march. They comfortably defeated Usenge Secondary School 3-0 in the semi-finals before producing another clinical display to beat St. Mary’s Nyagondo by the same scoreline in the county final, successfully defending their county crown and booking a place at the Nyanza regional championships.

Their biggest test came at the regional tournament, where the level of competition rose significantly. Yala opened with victory over Kisii champions Sameta before battling Homa Bay giants Ringa Boys to a draw. Another hard-fought draw against Kisumu Boys secured a place in the semi-finals, where they eliminated Maseno School to set up a repeat meeting with Kisumu Boys in the final.

The regional decider at Raila Odinga Stadium lived up to expectations. A disciplined display and a solitary goal handed the Black Saints a memorable 1-0 victory, crowning them Nyanza champions and securing the school’s first-ever qualification for the national games.

Their triumph came during one of the most dramatic regional campaigns in recent years. Defending champions Agai High School failed to reach the regional tournament after being disqualified at the county stage for fielding ineligible players following a successful appeal by Kisumu Boys. The opening created an opportunity for a new champion, and Yala seized it with both hands.

Now the Black Saints are in Mpesa Foundation Academy, Thika with a flawless record and renewed belief. They open their historic national campaign against Rift Valley champions Menengai High School today from 10.AM , fully aware that every match presents a different challenge but equally convinced they belong on this stage.

Coach Makanda says the team has focused as much on mental preparation as tactical work ahead of the national championship.

“We have been preparing the boys mentally and physically because the national games are different from the regional competition,” he said.

“We respect every opponent and we are not focusing on one particular team. We are preparing for every match because every school here deserves to be at the nationals. The boys understand what is expected of them, and we believe we can compete against any opponent if we remain disciplined and play as a team.”

With defending champions St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale eliminated before reaching Thika, the boys’ title race is wide open. That scenario has only strengthened the belief within the Yala camp that this could be their moment.

They may be first-time national finalists, but the Black Saints are not in Thika merely to make up the numbers. They arrive unbeaten, confident and carrying the hopes of Nyanza, determined to prove that they are more than just debutant,they are genuine contenders for Kenya’s biggest school football prize.