National Secondary Schools Sevens' champions Koyonzo have thrown the gauntlet ahead of the prestigious National Prescott Cup starting today at RFUEA grounds on Ngong Road, Nairobi.

Koyonzo headlines Pool ‘A’  alongside Nyanza giants St Mary’s Yala, Malindi High School, St. Augustine Secondary, and Kabianga School.

Nyanza Region 15’s champions Kisii School face a herculean task in pool ‘B’ against Ofafa Jericho, Alliance Boys, Vihiga High, and Ngong Township Secondary School.

On Wednesday, Koyonzo coach Eliud Okwemba said: “Being national 7’s champions and former 15’s champions, we are favourites to lift the title. However, we must qualify first from the group stage,” said Okwemba.

He added: “The pool is good and I expect a thrilling competition. I hope teams will stick to tournament rules and field upcoming players.”

Okwemba further said he is keen to reclaim the 15’s title. “Most of the teams that are competing at the national Prescott Cup will be at the national secondary schools games and therefore, we want to test ourselves against them,” said Okwemba.

Koyonzo lifted the Western region Prescott Cup after a hard-fought 5-0 win over Vihiga High last week.

Meanwhile, St Mary’s Yala coach Ken Mukok said he expects quality matches.

“The teams that have qualified for nationals are the best from their respective regions. I expect a highly competitive tournament. My target is to play in the finals. The pooling is good for exposure because we shall have four games,” he noted. 

St Mary’s Yala lost 5-7 against Kisii School in the Nyanza region finals last weekend at Lion's School in Kisumu.

The tournament is set to end on October 14, and the finalists will have the honour of curtain-raising for the Impala Floodlit tournament. The inclusion of the Prescott Cup finals adds an extra layer of excitement to this celebrated rugby event.