JOBO stun Musingu Scorpions to lift maiden title as Butere retain girls football trophy

Joseph’s Boys High School, Kitale, and Butere Girls High School were on Saturday crowned football champions as the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term Two games concluded at the Mumias Sports Complex.

Rift Valley’s St Joseph’s claimed their maiden national title after a hard-fought 1-0 win over home side Musingu Boys High School. Butere underlined their dominance in girls’ football as they saw off Western region compatriots Madira Girls High School 1-0 to clinch their third straight title and fourth in total.

In the playoffs, Highway Secondary School and Nasokol Girls High School secured third spots after triumphing over the Nyanza duo of Agai Secondary School and Kobala Mixed Secondary School, respectively.

The boys’ final was a game of few chances, with Musingu, backed by the home crowd, dominating large spells of possession but could not find a way past the St Joseph’s defence.

On the other hand, St Joseph’s were happy to sit back and play on the break.

However, St Joseph’s broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute when Shadrack Kiboi’s deflected header beat Musingu goalkeeper, silencing the crowds at Mumias.

Musingu dangerman Marvin Ashihundu was largely anonymous in the match, and St Joseph’s held on for their first title after finishing third last year.

For Musingu, the wait for a second national title continues after their sole success in 1984. The Scorpions also lost last year’s final to Highway Secondary School at the Gusii Stadium in Kisii County.

St Joseph’s coach Moses Kabengwa hopes this is the first of a successful trophy reign.

“This is a big achievement for us because it is the first time in the history of the school that we have bagged the national trophy. We are so happy and shall fight to retain it in the future,” Kabengwa said.

It will take something special to wrestle the girls gong from the Red Commandos, as they once again showed why they are the queens of secondary school football.

Metrin Kitiavi’s ninth-minute strike was what they needed to defend their crown without losing a match. They clinched their first national title in 2014, before further success in 2023 and 2024.

Butere coach Howard Shikanga praised his charges for setting the standards in girls’ secondary school football.

“We thank God that we finished this tournament without losing any game. It is not an easy feat, noting the high quality of opposition we faced. We have achieved the first task of defending the national title and now want the regional title,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sigalame High School and Buru Buru Girls High School were crowned the basketball 3x3 champions after seeing off Pioneer High School and Tigoi Girls High School, respectively, in yesterday’s finals. Sigalame edged out Pioneer 21-17, whereas Buruburu humbled homegirls Tigoi 15-2.