FEASSSA Games: Highway fall to Rwandan powerhouses as Bukhungu Stadium reopens

Bukhungu Stadium roared back to life on Thursday, hosting its first competitive match in more than six months as the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games got underway.

Still under renovation but boasting a fresh artificial turf, the stadium welcomed 2024 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) champions, Highway Secondary School, for their tournament opener.

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But the Nairobi giants’ return to the big stage ended in disappointment, falling 3-1 to Rwanda’s silver medallists, CGFK.

The Rwandese struck their opener through Snyaka Rene before Ingabire Christian netted a brace, while Highway’s consolation came from Ian Nzise.

The match began at a measured pace, with both sides sizing each other up in the opening minutes.

Highway had the first real chance in the seventh minute when Luis Ochieng lined up a free-kick from a promising position, but his effort sailed over the bar.

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CGFK quickly settled and matched Highway’s trademark short-passing tiki-taka style, exploiting space on the wings.

In the 12th minute, Rene opened the scoring after capitalising on a defensive lapse from Seth DaSilva.

Things got worse for Highway in the 20th minute when Snyaka Rene combined with Christian, drove past two defenders, and buried a low shot into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-1.

Highway nearly pulled one back in the 30th minute through Rial Beliew, but his weak shot was easily gathered by CGFK goalkeeper Byingira Erick.

Two minutes later, Silvanus Foe’s free-kick from the edge of the box flew harmlessly over.

CGFK almost extended their lead in the 34th minute from a corner, Christian’s delivery finding Rene Veneza, whose near-post flick went just wide.

The Ugandan referee blew for halftime with the Rwandans firmly in control.

Highway made double changes at the break, introducing Michael Ndhiwa and Samuel Manzi, but the momentum remained with CGFK.

Ndhiwa was in the thick of the action immediately, earning a yellow card in the 50th minute for a late challenge.

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The Kenyans began to grow into the game, and in the 64th minute, Alvin Oloo won a free-kick in a dangerous area, but his effort flew high over the bar.

Nzise and Oloo tried to dictate play from midfield, yet CGFK’s compact shape cut off their passing lanes.

Beliew’s resurgence in the final quarter saw him whip in a series of crosses, but Byingira Erick remained untroubled.

As the clock ticked down, both sides slowed the tempo until a lapse in Highway’s defence in the 88th minute allowed Gatete Jimmy to combine with Christian, who coolly slotted home his second of the match to seal a deserved win for the Rwandese.

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