The defending champions, Vihiga Boys’ team, have been eliminated from the Vihiga County Secondary School football games after a disappointing performance in this year’s group stage.
Despite holding Ebwali Boys to a goalless draw in their Thursday group match, Vihiga failed to advance to the semifinals. Ebwali’s decisive 3-0 victory over Chavakali High and Senende Boys’ 2-2 draw with Vihiga sealed the fate of Vihiga Boys, ending their hopes of retaining the title.
Ebwali coach Francis Muhambe commented after the game at Mumboha playground, highlighting his team’s ability to neutralize the threats posed by Chavakali’s wingers, which played a crucial role in their victory. Following this win, the Luanda-based team will face Emusire Boys from Emuhaya in the semifinals scheduled for this Friday at Mumboha.
“Chavakali had very sharp wingers, had we not contained them under the first 25 minutes of play, we would now be out of this competitions,” Muhambe said.
Austine Odongo was on target before the halftime before Kevin Saka made it two for Ebwali after the resumption of the second half. Ebwali skipper Abu Swaleh scored the third goal to seal the win.
However, Muhambe dismissed his critics who claim that Ebwali is playing boring football, maintaining all he wants is victory.
“Entertainment in football is a foreign thing. The very fans who would want you to entertain them on the pitch will mock you if you fail to score. You would rather look for a shortcut to win a game than focus on ball possession and lose,” he stated.
On the Other hand, Chavakali tactician Hillary Muleri whose team has qualified to semis has assured fans of quality football as they now face Shamakhokho on Friday.
“Better lose with good football than win with bad football. If we manage to get to the regionals we will address the challenge of our porous defense then we are good to go. If we meet Ebwali again we will beat them. Chavakali do nott fear anybody, only that today they were under pressure to proceed to the semis and they managed to beat us,” Muleri said.
Ebwali took the lead in pool B with 10 points after defeating Ebusiloli 3-0, Senende 4-0, and Chavakali 3-0, before being held to a goalless draw by Vihiga. Chavakali secured their spot in the semifinals by defeating Vihiga Boys 3-2, as well as Ebusiloli and Senende with scores of 2-0 each, accumulating nine points.
In the upcoming semifinals, Emusire Boys from Emuhaya will face Luanda’s Ebwali at Mumboha, while Chavakali from Sabatia will play against Shamakhokho from Hamisi at Es’saba. These matches will determine Vihiga’s representatives in the Western Region school games scheduled for late July in Bungoma.
Meanwhile, Madira will compete against Kilingili at Es’saba, and Mudavadi will take on Ibubi at Mumboha.
