The 2016 Western regional champions Friends School Bukembe have been eliminated at the county level by their arch-rivals Kibabii Boys who beat them 1-0 in a replay semi-final match devoid of fans at Friends School Kamusinga grounds on Tuesday.
However, Kibabii’s victory over Bukembe was short-lived as they failed to win the Bungoma County title that was won by Lukhuna from Tongaren in a thrilling final at the same venue.
The two teams had battled to a goalless draw in regulation time before Lukhuna won on penalties, replacing Sirakalu as the soccer champions.
The match between Bukembe and Kibabii ended prematurely last Friday owing to fan trouble that led to injury of the centre referee. Defending champions, Bukembe were leading 1-0 when the match was abandoned after Kibabii disputed a penalty awarded to their opponents that would have sealed their fate at the games.
The jury, which met to deliver the verdict, exonerated both teams from blame and ordered for a replay but on a neutral venue and with no fans allowed to watch the match.
Bukembe caused a big upset during the regional games in Lodwar in 2016 when they qualified for the Nationals after beating the then defending regional and national champions St. Anthony 2-1 in the finals.
Bukembe rewrote history once more when the youth team comprising of players drawn from Bukembe High School won the 2010 Sakata Ball National Championships.
The school also qualified for the national secondary games in 2022 but Ebwali, whom they beat in the finals, petitioned that their opponents had fielded an ineligible player. The jury found them culpable paving way for Ebwali to represent the county at the national level.
Despite falling to Lukhuna, Kibabii has also secured place at the regional games in Kakamega starting July 17, 2023 with prospects of the two teams meeting in an all Bungoma final looking bright.
Busia will be represented at the games by John Osogo Secondary School and Mandende. Kakamega will send Musingu and Shanderema while Vihiga will parade Vihiga Boys and Emusire.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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