For decades, Cardinal Otunga High School carried a rich sporting tradition without an East African secondary schools Rugby 7s title to show for it. That changed in Morogoro, Tanzania, where the Mosocho-based school produced an unbeaten six-match campaign to be crowned the 2026 Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Associations (FEASSSA) Rugby 7s champions.
Speaking to ASN on Monday during a homecoming ceremony at the school, head coach Edwin Metobo recalled how Cardinal Otunga had lost 26–0 to Butula Boys in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national final.
The defeat left the Kisii side second best in Kenya, but it also gave the players an opportunity to respond when they met Butula again in Tanzania.
“But in Tanzania, the same opponents presented another test and this time our school turned the tables, winning 17–14,” Metobo said.
From there, Cardinal Otunga continued to build momentum as the tournament progressed. The team overcame Bokoli Boys, Elerai, Butula, Mbarara High School and Makerere College before facing Busoga College in the decisive match.
Across the campaign, the Kisii side scored 145 points while conceding only 41, underlining the balance between its attacking strength and defensive discipline.
“Their final performance was a commanding 41–0 victory over Busoga, sealing a historic unbeaten run and delivering a title that had eluded the school for decades,” Metobo said.
The success also reflected the changes made within the school’s rugby program, with the technical team playing a central role in preparing the players for the demanding competition.
Cardinal Otunga Chief Principal Ezekiel Okeyo congratulated the players, coaches and the wider school community, saying the victory demonstrated what could be achieved when students were given the necessary support and opportunity to develop their talents.
“We are proud of what the boys have achieved. This victory shows what is possible when students are given the right support, guidance and opportunity to develop their talents,” Okeyo said.
He lauded the contribution of the technical team, including Martin Owila, Edward Sokoine and Erick Bosire, whose guidance played a crucial role in the team’s successful campaign.
Okeyo said the school would continue supporting students in different disciplines, stressing that rugby was only one of the areas where learners could excel.
“I will remain dedicated to supporting not only rugby but also other fields. Every student has a talent, and our responsibility as a school is to identify, nurture and support those talents,” he said.
Deputy Principal Gerald Ayiera described the championship as a major milestone, attributing the achievement to the commitment of the players and the support from the Chief Principal, which helped boost the team’s morale.
Ayiera said the technical team’s professional approach had also helped the players remain focused throughout the competition, from their opening match to the final.
“The championship is a milestone that deserves to be celebrated and congratulated. We commend everyone who stood by and supported the team. The players showed tremendous determination by winning against every team they faced,” Ayiera said.
He said the achievement had brought pride beyond the school and Kisii County, extending to the Nyanza region and East Africa.
“We are not only proud as Cardinal Otunga and as a school in Kisii. We are proud as a region in Nyanza and as East Africa because we have produced the best,” he said.
End
“I will remain dedicated to supporting not only rugby but also other fields. Every student has a talent, and our responsibility as a school is to identify, nurture and support those talents,” he said.”
— Cardinal Otunga Chief Principal Ezekiel Okeyo
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