Brave Barding end 14-year old jinx

Kenya’s Barding Secondary School won the East Africa Secondary School boys’ football title after beating 10-man St Mary’s Kitende of Uganda 1-0 in the final on Saturday at the Kipchoge Stadium,  Eldoret as the regional event came to an end.

Substitute James Ochieng’s 70th minute strike was enough to hand Barding their maiden regional title.

The win ended Kenya’s 14-year wait for the coveted title as the Siaya-based school finally managed to end Kitende’s dominance.

St Anthony’ Boys Kitale were the last home side to win the title in 2002 with Kitende going on to win 11 regional titles.

The stadium, which was filled to the brim with vuvuzelas blows filling the air, burst into celebration as Barding secured this rare win. The final whistle saw the home fans storm the pitch to celebrate with the victors.

“It is mission accomplished for us. We came to this games only focusing on winning this title,” Barding captain John Odinga told Sunday Nation Sport.

With the game seemingly headed to extra time, Ochieng grabbed the winning goal minutes after coming on. Kitende dominated the first half creating a number of chances.

Forwards Steven Namowanda, Frank Tumesigwe and Steven Namuwanda all had their shots saved by Barding keeper John Otieno.

Kitende’s Bashir Bamutaraki thought he had scored but the goal was ruled out for offside. Towards the end of the match, Kitende’s spirits went down after temperamental defender Bashir Asiku was sent off for indiscipline.

Barding went back to defend, keeping at bay Kitende’s strikers, who were agitating to turn around the scores.

Barding beat Kibuli of Uganda to advance to the final as Kitende upstaged Kenya’s Bukembe in the other semi-final match.

REMERA CHAMPIONS

Rwanda’s GS Remera won the girls football title after a 5-4 victory over national champions St John’s Kaloleni in post-match penalties. The sides had battled to a 1-1 draw after normal and extra time.

Harambee Starlets striker Mwanahalima Adam missed her penalty having scored her team’s equaliser to send the tie to extra time. GS Remera’s striker Mukeshimana Amothee had given her side the lead on the hour mark.

“Our long journey was not in vain and we are glad we clinched the title. The Kenyans pushed us but we wanted the title more,” Remera coach Bonny Nsengimana said.

KAYA TIWI WIN BBALL TITLE

In girls basketball, Kaya Tiwi Secondary School lifted their maiden title after a hard-fought 54-51 win over Burundi’s Lycee Du Lac Tanganyika in the final played at Moi Girls, Eldoret.

Lilian Adera and Winnie Akinyi starred for Kaya Tiwi 15 and 11 points respectively to lead their team to the title in their first appearance at the games.

Kenya’s Malava Boys won the volleyball title after 3-0 win over Apapen of Rwanda at the Eldoret Polytechnic.

(READ: Malava Boys clinch School Games volleyball title)

Malava won in sets of 25-16, 25-20 and 25-18 to emerge winners.