Counties give birth to new champions

Football action between Musingu Boys High School and Lugusi High School. [Mumo Munuve, Standard]

After the two year Covid-19 break that halted sports in schools, many expected the levels and standards of secondary school games to slowly pick up and reach their peak in five years.

Two years post the global pandemic, bigwigs are already feeling the heat of the competitive school games which completed their county games over the weekend.

In Kakamega, former national football champions Kakamega High School, also known as Green Commandos, were the first casualties of the 2023 school games after they were knocked out of this year's Term Two games.

Musingu School were crowned new Kakamega County Secondary School football champions.

Musingu saw off Shanderema 2-1 in boys' final match played at a fully packed, but incomplete Bukhungu Stadium. Both finalists will represent the county in the regional games.

Musingu earlier sent warning shots after knocking out former national champions Green Commandos 5-4 on penalties in the semifinals after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

Shanderema equally saw off Lugusi 4-2 on penalties after a barren draw in normal time.

A jubilant Musingu High School coach Brendan Mwinamo said his tactics paid off against a resilient opponent. Mwinamo coached Kakamega High before moving to Musingu.

"We are working on bringing the trophy back to Kakamega and the entire Western region. We are going to improve on our speed, mental and physical fitness. My boys are not physical but as a coach, you have to read the mind and the game of your opponent," said Mwinamo.

Green Commandos finished fourth in the county finals. They lost 2-0 to Lugusi in the third place playoffs.

In girls' football finals, Archbishop Njega Girls School narrowly saw off Butere Girls 1-0 to win the football title.

Meanwhile, St Anthony's Boys, popularly known as Solidarity Boys, strengthened their pursuit to reclaim East Africa secondary school football title when they were crowned Trans Nzoia County champions.

Striker Aggrian Kibet's 75 minute goal against rivals Goseta revived the spirit for the regional trophy.

St. Anthony's secured the ticket to the final after eliminating their main rival St Joseph's Boys after a 2-0 win at the semis.

Two goals from Gregory Junior in the 57th and 60th minutes respectively gave the solidarity Boys hope.

At the semis, St Anthony's defeated St Mark from Cherangany 1-0, while St Joseph's Boys proceeded to the semis after their pool B counterpart Cheptenden were disqualified for allegedly fielding an ineligible player.

Celebrations were felt at St Anthony's Boys, with the principal Simon Masibo, confirming their dream to recapture the regional trophy. Wiyeta ruled in girls' football. "Our journey to reclaim the East Africa regional title is unstoppable," said coach Peter Mayoyo.

In Migori, Masara Secondary won boys' football title.