The Trans Nzoia Secondary Schools Sports jury has ordered a replay of the highly anticipated football semi-final between St. Anthony’s Boys and St. Joseph’s Boys after the initial match was marred by disputes over player eligibility.
In the jury report two players from St. Anthony’s were found to be ineligible and will be barred from participating in the rematch, which is set to take place any time from Tuesday, July 1, at a venue yet to be announced.
The match was abandoned in the 80th minute in which St Anthony was leading 3-2 against St Joseph, after referee failed to award a clear penalty to St Joseph.
This decision follows a spate of rulings aimed at resolving a series of protests and abandoned matches across various sports disciplines in the ongoing Trans Nzoia County games.
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In the other boys’ football semis, Bwake Boys will also face a replay against Goseta Boys, with both teams required to exclude players found in breach of eligibility rules. The jury’s decision seeks to uphold fair competition and ensure that only qualified athletes represent their schools as the tournament progresses.
The controversy is not limited to football. In boys’ volleyball, a rematch between Andersen and St. Anthony’s has been mandated after the original semi-final was abandoned amid rising tensions among fans and teams. Meanwhile, in rugby, defending champions Bwake Boys have been awarded the win over St. Anthony’s following their opponents’ abandonment of the match.
Girls’ football has not been spared either. The rematch between former national champions Wiyeta and reigning Rift Valley champions St. Joseph’s Girls will proceed without one Wiyeta player whose transfer documentation failed to meet Ministry of Education requirements, despite satisfying the 90-day transfer rule.
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The jury, who sat on Sunday evening, has advised all teams to remain prepared for these rematches, stressing the importance of submitting updated player eligibility documents ahead of the fixtures.
The exact venues and kick-off times remain under review, with officials expected to confirm details by Monday evening.
Officials have also hinted that the rematches may be held behind closed doors to prevent further crowd disruptions and maintain a safe environment for players and officials.
As these decisions take effect, the focus is now on ensuring a smooth conclusion to the county games and timely selection of representatives for the upcoming Rift Valley regional championships.
By Our reporter
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