Controversy marked the end of the Nyanza Region Secondary School Games on Tuesday as Kisumu Day Secondary School appealed after losing the boys’ football final to Agoro Sare Secondary School.
Kisumu Day, who were the defending champions, lost 7-6 on post-match penalties after the game ended in a stalemate at Maranda High School. In the appeal letter seen by Nation Sport, Kisumu Day allege that Agoro Sare fielded an ineligible player in their final match.
In the girls’ final, Lwak Girls High School also won a penalty shootout against 2019 national champions Nyakach Girls High School to claim their maiden title.
Kisumu Day Team Manager Booker Odhiambo claims the player was part of the Dagoretti High School football team that participated in last year’s games while in Form three.
In the appeal dated July 25, 2023, Odhiambo stated that the player in question is now playing for Agoro Sare, but also in Form three.
“He is therefore a repeater which is against the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Constitution part 11 (e). He is therefore an ineligible player in this year’s championship as a form three. It is due to this reason that Agoro Sare should loose the match,” said Mr Odhiambo.
By the time the teams were departing after the closing ceremony, the verdict of the appeal was yet to be determined, but an official confirmed that the Nyanza Region Secondary Schools Sports Association had received the complaint.
However, the Nyanza Regional Director of Education, Nelson Sifuna stated that he is yet to receive any appeal from Kisumu Day or any other team.
“As it stands now my office is yet to receive any appeal. I have only seen some on social media. When it reaches me, a committee will sit, investigate the matter and make a decision,” said Sifuna.
The boys’ final was a repeat of last year’s decider which Agoro Sare lost 2-0.
The match went into the extra time with Kisumu Day missing crucial goal scoring opportunities that they would later regret.
The first five penalty takers from both teams scored forcing the kick out to go to sudden death.
The heroics of shot stopper Agoro Sare keeper Michael Omondi is what would be the difference between the two teams after saving a penalty, gifting Agoro Sare the gong.
“Our motto was breaking the trend and I am happy we did exactly that” said Fredrick Akuku, the Agoro Sare coach.
Lwak elated
Meanwhile, in girls’ football, St Mary’s Lwak Girls emerged winners after beating Nyakach Girls High School 2-0 in post-match penalties at Maranda High School.
Lwak coach Daniel Ochieng was elated saying the efforts they put in training and belief is what steered them to victory
“We lost to Nyakach in the first fixture, but we were never discouraged. We took one match at a time until we reached the final. We expect stronger teams at the national level but we are up to the task,” Ochieng said.
In volleyball, Nyakach Girls High School saw off Nyakongo Girls High School -1 (25-15, 21-25, 20-25, 25-8) to retain their title with Ruth Muhingira voted the Most Valuable Player.
In the boys’ final, Onjiko High School from Kisumu County comfortably defended their regional title beating God Bura Secondary School 3-0 (25-16: 25-15, 25-14) in a one-sided match. Rorney Martine of Onjiko was the Most Valuable Player.
In netball, Oyugi Ogango Secondary School were crowned winners after beating Nyakach Girls High School 40-37. The defending champions Kobala Mixed Secondary School beat Nyabera Secondary school 41-30 in the netball play-offs to clinch the third position.
In boys’ basketball 3×3, Onjiko beat Agoro Sare 18-10, while Ototo Mixed Secondary school clinched the girls’ title after getting a slim 9-6 win.
WINNERS
Rugby 7s – St Mary’s School, Yala
Netball – Oyugi Ogango Secondary School
Girls Football – St Mary’s Lwak Girls High School
Boys Football – Agoro Sare High School
Girls Volleyball – Nyakach Girls High School
Boys volleyball – Onjiko High School
Girls Basketball 3×3 – Ototo Mixed secondary school
Boys Basketball 3×3 – Onjiko High School
