FEASSSA Games: New champion to be crowned as Amus College exit, three Kenyan schools storm semis

The curtains are slowly coming down on the 22nd edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Games in Kakamega, and after seven days of grueling group matches, the knockout phase is here.

For the first time in history, Kenya will have three representatives in the boys’ football semifinals.

Musingu High School, Butere Boys, and St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale have flown the Kenyan flag with pride, ensuring the country dominates the last four.

Debutants Agai High School, who lit up the tournament with brave performances, heartbreakingly bowed out on goal difference despite a strong showing.

Uganda’s Bukedea Comprehensive Academy is the only foreign side remaining, keeping East Africa’s football rivalry alive.

Musingu High School 3-1 CGFK Kicukiro (Rwanda)

Musingu High School, the Scorpions, underlined their credentials with a 3-1 victory over Rwanda’s CGFK Kicukiro at Bukhungu Stadium.

In dramatic fashion, the Scorpions conceded inside 20 seconds for the second consecutive match, Irakoze Jean Paul pouncing on a defensive lapse to stun the home crowd.

Goalkeeper Boaz Mushira, culpable for the error, redeemed himself with a string of outstanding saves that kept Musingu alive in a nervy opening.

Harrison Amalemba pulled Musingu level with a thunderbolt strike that tore through the Rwandan defense like lightning.

The first half was a battle of fire and grit, with Quimba Shaban, Mkaramoja Kelvin, and Rooney Ochieng coming close on several occasions but denied by desperate defending.

After the break, Musingu returned with renewed ferocity.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi opens up on his shared bond with David Rudisha

Birthday boy Houstin Oluoch dictated the tempo from midfield, spraying inch-perfect passes that cut open Kicukiro at will.

His vision sparked wave after wave of attack, and substitute Kelvin Manani, in scorching form, came off the bench to fire home in the 56th minute.

Marvin Ashiundu completed the job with a composed finish late on, sealing a result that confirmed Musingu as group leaders.

CHAN 2024: Shabana striker reveals reason for lack of Harambee Stars' game time

Credit also went to defensive generals Abu Swaleh and Annan Okumu, who shackled Kicukiro dangermen Irihamwe Eric, Cihozo David, and Gatete Jimmy with ice-cold precision.

Butere Boys 1-1 Amus College (Uganda)

Butere Boys, the Exodus, continued their fairytale debut with a priceless 1-1 draw against defending champions Amus College, eliminating the Ugandans and guaranteeing a new champion will be crowned.

The first half was tense, with Amus monopolizing possession through short, clever passes that stretched Butere out of shape.

It was the Exodus’ lowest display so far, as Ugandan forwards Muhoozi Henry and the mercurial Mansur Bashir constantly tormented their defense.

Why Harambee Stars legend Arnold Origi is convinced Kenya can lift CHAN

Bashir, a Uganda U17 forward, deservedly gave Amus the lead in the 25th minute with a clinical finish.

Butere struggled to respond, but captain Dennis Kikwae rose to the occasion.

Ten minutes from time, he bent a stunning free-kick past the Amus wall to level the scores, sparking wild celebrations from their fans.

The second half saw a reborn Butere, with goalkeeper Daniel Masakhwe pulling off brave saves to deny Amus a way back.

Kikwae and Jaffary Bukaya missed golden chances to snatch victory, but the draw was enough.

The Exodus marched into the semifinals as Group A runners-up, still unbeaten in their first-ever FEASSSA campaign.

St Joseph’s Boys 3-1 Agai High School

The clash between Kenya’s national champions St Joseph’s Kitale (Brown Saints) and spirited debutants Agai High (Green Cardinals) ended in heartbreak for the Kisumu-based side, who bowed out after a 3-1 defeat at Bukhungu.

St Joseph’s imposed their authority early, with Shadrack Kiboi and Rixon Simiyu dictating play from while Tony Mwale and Collins Mwalati stretched Agai’s defense.

Charles Ochieng and Rayes Ochieng provided width and power, suffocating the Green Cardinals’ rhythm.

Instin Simiyu, ever the big-match player, opened the scoring with a clinical finish before adding a second to complete his brace.

FEASSSA Games: St. Charles Lwanga stun Musingu as hockey title race heats up

Jabal Lugendi netted the third, putting the game beyond reach.

Agai, to their credit, fought with pride despite going down.

Moses Otieno, Briton Okumu, Alex Ouma, and Felix Nyakwach brought moments of flair, and Philip Omondi pulled one back with a fine strike to give their fans a moment to cheer.

Yet, their spark was not enough against the relentless Brown Saints, whose pressing and clinical finishing carried the day.

The result sealed St Joseph’s progress to the semifinals, while Agai’s fairy-tale run ended on the cruel measure of goal difference.

The semifinals will now see a rematch of the Kenyan national final, St Joseph’s versus Musingu, reviving a rivalry that saw the Brown Saints edge the Scorpions 1-0 just three weeks ago in Mumias.

Butere, meanwhile, face Uganda’s Bukedea Comprehensive Academy in what promises to be another bruising battle.

One thing is certain: with Amus College dethroned, a new name will be etched into FEASSSA history this year.