Upper Hill, St Anthony’s Boys lose football matches

Derrick Ashihundu of Kakamega High School leaves Emmanuel Kwebikanga and Michael Mwesigye of Uganda’s Mbarara High in his wake during boys’ rugby match at East Africa Secondary School games at Comboni Vocational Institute in Gulu, Uganda, on August 20, 2017. PHOTO | ISMAIL KEZAALA |

What you need to know:

  • Sega Girls beat Kiptarit in all-Kenyan handball match.
  • Kenyan teams fall to Tanzania’s Alliance, Uganda’s Kitende in championships.
  • St Anthony’s are set to play South Sudan’s Benitu Boys on Monday.
  • Upper Hill on the other hand face a must-win match against homeside St Joseph’s Layibi Monday afternoon.

IN GULU, UGANDA

Kenya’s Upper Hill and St Anthony’s Boys Kitale on Sunday lost their respective football matches on day two of Brookside East Africa Secondary School Games here in Gulu.

The 2002 regional winners St Anthony’s went down 2-1 to homeside and 11-time winners St Mary’s Kitende in a Pool B match at Gulu High School.

Kenyan champions Upper Hill suffered their second successive loss, going down 4-2 to Alliance Boys from Tanzania in their Pool A encounter. Upper Hill had lost 3-2 to Uganda’s St Mary’s Kisubi in their first match on Saturday.

St Anthony’s had taken a 17th-minute lead through James Kibande’s drilled in shot that left Kitende goalkeeper Derrick Ochan with little chance.

The goal came after relentless pressure from St Anthony’s who started on a high pace in the thrilling encounter that drew large crowds.

St Mary’s were however not to be denied as they restored parity in the 24th minute through forward Brian Kalumba.

The Kenyans lost possession in midfield and Kitende’s Salim Kyube floated a lovely cross to Kalumba who brilliantly controlled the ball before turning and firing into the bottom left corner past St Anthony’s keeper Sheikh Aleeley.

MATCH CAME ALIVE

The goal brought the game alive with both sides now intent on attacking more. The half time whistle saw the sides evenly matched, but the homeside enjoyed better possession.

The winning goal arrived in the 55th minute albeit in controversial manner. Kitende were awarded a free-kick deep in their opponents’ final third and Kyube again delivered another lovely cross that Kalumba headed past Aleeley but St Anthony’s players claimed it was offside.

The goal was allowed to stand and despite St Anthony throwing everything to get the leveller, the hosts held out for their first win of the competition. St Anthony’s coach Peter Mayoyo cried foul on what he termed as ‘suspect officiating’ but remains confident his side can progress to the knockout stage.

“Some key decisions did not go our way today but we still have the quality to do well in the tournament,” Mayoyo said. St Anthony’s had beaten Lycee du Kigali 1-0 in their first match on Saturday and lie second in the pool with three points. St Anthony’s are set to play South Sudan’s Benitu Boys on Monday.

Upper Hill on the other hand face a must-win match against homeside St Joseph’s Layibi Monday afternoon.

In boys’ basketball, Upper Hill got off their campaign on a winning start with a 59-49 win over Rwanda’s Eteni in their pool B opener. Upper outscored their opponents 9-6, 16-7, 13-9 and 20-27 in the quarters.

In girls’ handball, national champions St Anne’s Sega saw off compatriots St Francis Cheptarit 31-19, while Mbogo High beat Gombe Secondary School 17-14 in an all-Ugandan clash.