Barding High from Nyanza broke a 14-year jinx to lift the boys’ soccer East Africa title at Kipchoge stadium in Eldoret. Barding beat multiple regional champions St.Mary’s Kitende of Uganda 1-0 in the dying minutes of the game to send home the title favourites. The two teams came out 0-0 draw in the first half in which Barding had been overwhelmed by their opponents though they wasted scoring opportunities. On resumption, the eleven-time champions Kitende continued their hunt for the title with incessant attacks, however, Barding remained solid to seal the defense loopholes and controlled the midfield.
It was in the 86th minute when the substitute James Ochieng who netted the all-important goal for his side blasted the stadium into cheers as the whistle went off.
National girls’ champions St. Johns’ Kaloleni missed a chance to clinch their maiden East African Secondary School games title following a 4- 5 defeat on post match penalties to Rwandan champions GS Remera in the final.
Karisa Mwanaidi, Purity Karembo, Mwagongo Nuru and Hadima Nuru scored their spot kicks for St. Johns’ while Mwanahalima Adam sent out hers to send the tie for a sudden death shootouts after Mukeshimana Amothe, Umumarakunzi Jackline and Mukeshimana Janette had converted for Remera with Mukashyaka Florence having her kick saved by Nzaro Margaret.
During the sudden death, Kwendo Esther’s kick was saved by Nyinawamuntu before Irukumutima Agatha converted the decisive penalty past Nzaro and hand the Rwandan side the girls’ title. After a goalless first half, Mukeshimana Amothee broke the deadlock in the 60th minute but ten minutes later, Kenyan international forward Mwanahalima Adam restored parity.