The nail-biting standoff between St. Mary’s Kibabii Boys and Bukembe High School has turned into an explosive battle, with both teams vying for a spot in the final of the Bungoma County secondary school soccer games.
This weekend has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, filled with drama and conflict that has left everyone on the edge of their seats.
Kibabii Boys, facing a daunting two-year ban after their fans allegedly launched an attack on the center referee during a fiery semi-final clash against Bukembe on Saturday, have managed to successfully appeal the harsh penalty.
The controversial incident unfolded when the referee controversially disallowed what Kibabii believed was a legitimate goal, claiming it had hit a fan before finding the back of the net. However, the Kibabii players and their fervent supporters are adamant that it struck the goalpost instead.
To add fuel to the fire, Bukembe capitalized on the chaos and swiftly scored from the penalty spot, further intensifying the bitter rivalry between the two teams. The tension was palpable, and the stage was set for a fierce rematch.
Anticipation reached fever pitch as fans flocked to Bungoma High School on Sunday, eagerly awaiting the rescheduled match. However, to their utter disappointment, the showdown failed to materialize, leaving them disheartened and dejected.
The absence of a decisive outcome meant that neither team could secure a place in the final against Lukhuna Secondary, who had advanced after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Kabula Secondary.
Now, as the dust begins to settle, the county sports committee and the principals of both teams are set to convene today to determine the way forward. The fate of the much-anticipated final hangs in the balance, and tensions are running high.
Ngichabe Eric, the Sports Secretary of Bungoma County, has emphasized that no game, whether it be the semi-final or final, will take place until the two bitter rivals come to a mutual agreement. The situation is far from resolved, as the officials in the supreme jury will meticulously review the initial verdict, which may either be overturned or upheld, leaving everyone anxiously awaiting the final decision.
For Kibabii Boys, the stakes couldn’t be higher. They are fighting tooth and nail to avoid sharing the same fate as Teremi Boys, who were slapped with a two-year ban after it was discovered that the team had fielded non-student players, including two individuals from Kibabii University and two from Trans Nzoia County.
Adding to the chaos, several teams from Mt. Elgon have also been banned, despite their valiant attempts to appeal their cases.
The repercussions of these bans are rippling through the sports community, sending shockwaves of uncertainty and apprehension.
Who else have qualified from the other fields?
Brenda Girls secured a chance to proceed to regional leg balls after defeating Moi Girls Kamusinga 3-1 in a thrilling final.
In volleyball girls, Lugulu will proceed to the regionals after beating played Miruri Secondary 3 sets to nil in the finals.
For volleyball boys, Namwela qualified to represent Bungoma in the regionals after beating Teremi 3 sets to 2 in a thrilling showdown on Sunday.
Sam Oduor is the editor-in-chief at the Western Kenya Times who leverages the power of the Internet in telling stories that shape opinions.