BY REUBEN OLITA
The 2016 regional champions Friends School Bukembe were eliminated from this year’s Bungoma County Games by their arch-rivals Kibabii Boys, which beat them 1-0 in a replay semi-final match devoid of fans at Friends School Kamusinga grounds Tuesday.
However, Kibabii’s victory over Bukembe.was short-lived as they failed to win the county title that was won by Lukhuna from Tongaren Constituency in a thrilling final at the same venue played on empty grounds.
The two teams had battled to a goalless draw in regulation time before Lukhuna won on penalties. Lukhuna has replaced Sirakalu from the same region which used to dominate soccer in Bungoma County.
Bungoma County soccer boys champions Lukhuna Secondary players pose for a photo.
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 was leading 1-0 when the match was abandoned. Trouble started when 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 another history when the youth team, comprising of players drawn from Bukembe high school, won the 2010 Sakata Ball national Championships.
Bukembe had qualified for the national games in 2022 but Ebwali, whom they beat in the finals petitioned over claims their opponents had fielded an ineligible player. The jury found then calpabled paving way for Ebwali to represent the county at the national secondary games.
Despite falling to Lukhuna, Kibabii has also secured place at the regional games in Kakamega starting July 17th, 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.
