KSSSA: Bwake crowned rugby 7s champions as Musingu seek to quench 40-year national title thirst

Bwake Secondary School of Rift Valley are the winners of the 2024 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term Two rugby 7s games.

The determined students defeated Vihiga High School 19-14 in a closely contested match that was determined on post-match penalties at the Kisii School Grounds on Wednesday.

Wilson Tonga gave Vihiga an early 7-0 lead after breaking through Bwake’s defensive line to score between the posts, with Felix Apuok converting the try.

However, Bwake responded before halftime when Gerom Lumumba crossed over near the posts to tie the score at 7-7, after Chesoli Nabonge added the extras.

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In the second half, Tonga struck again, beating Vihiga’s defense with his pace before scoring at the center. Apuok’s conversion extended Vihiga's lead to 14-7.

As the minutes ticked down, Bwake refused to give up. Despite the hooter sound, Lumumba broke free again to tie the score at 14-14, with Nabonge adding the extras and sending the game into sudden death.

During the restart, both teams exchanged attacks and executed well-planned defensive setups, forcing the game into another sudden death.

After nearly 30 minutes of play, Bwake’s Darias Kipsang scored a last-gasp try that led the team to a 19-14 victory. Despite the defeat, both Bwake and Vihiga have qualified for the East African games.

At the same time, St Joseph Girls Kitale, Kinale, Nyagichenche and St Teresas have also qualified for East Africa finals.

Football

Musingu High School; Scorpions are in the hunt for a KSSSA national football title they last won in 1984.

The school which has had an impressive run defeated St Joseph’s Kitale in the nerve-wracking semifinal match that was decided on post-match penalties.

The teams shared 2-2 spoils at regular time. The match was played on 30 minutes extra time but no team managed to score, forcing it to post-match penalties where Musingu edged their opponents 5-4.

They will face Highway Secondary School in the finals slated for Thursday at the Gusii Stadium.

Highway proceeded to this stage after defeating Kirangari High School 2-1 in the second semifinal.

Both Musingu and Highway have booked their tickets to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games set for August 17 to 26 in Mbale, Uganda.

Basketball

St. Joseph Girls Kitale and St. Joseph Boys Kitale defied all the odds to be crowned the new KSSSA national basketball 3x3 champions.

St. Joseph Girls dethroned Ototo Mixed Secondary School, who failed to qualify for the nationals to defend their title from last year, by narrowly defeating Butere Girls High School 13-12.

Joy Nyayual, voted the Most Valuable Player, was instrumental for the Rift Valley champions. Despite trailing, they recovered to edge out Butere Girls, who are also the national Term One basketball champions.

Onjiko will still proceed to the East Africa games in Mbale, Uganda, later this month, alongside Friends School Kamusinga. Kamusinga secured their spot by defeating Sawagongo 20-17 in the third-place playoffs.

In the girls’ category, Butere Girls and Nasokol will join St. Joseph Girls in Uganda. Nasokol finished third after defeating Raila Education Center 10-6.