The roar of the crowd, the echo of the final whistle, and a single soaring header sealed it—St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale, commonly known as JOBO, are this year’s National Secondary School Football Champions, securing their first-ever national title in front of an overflowing crowd at Mumias Sports Complex.
In a tightly contested final against Musingu High School, it was Shadrack Kiboi who rose to the occasion, scoring the match-winning goal in the second half.
His brilliant header—off a well-placed free-kick—sparked wild celebrations on the JOBO bench and among fans who had travelled from across the Rift Valley to witness history.
The game was played before a capacity crowd, with dignitaries including Ministry of Education Field Coordinator Nelson Sifuna, KSSSA national coordinators, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, and Senator Boni Khalwale all in attendance.
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JOBO’s triumph marked the culmination of years of preparation, heartbreak, and near-misses. It was a moment of redemption and fulfilment for a school that had built a reputation for consistency but had never gone all the way—until now.
Musingu High School, nicknamed the Scorpions, was hoping to lift its second national title, its last having been won in 1984.
The Western giants came close yet again, but for the second year in a row, fell just short. Last year, they lost to Highway Secondary in penalty shootouts (5–4) after a 1–1 draw in the national final held in Kisii.
Despite the loss, both JOBO and Musingu have earned the right to represent Kenya in the upcoming FEASSA (East Africa Secondary School Games), which will be held this month in Kakamega County.
As the sun set over Mumias, the champions lifted the national trophy high, confirming what their fans had long believed—it was JOBO’s time.
By Joseph Mambili
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