School Games: JOBO crowned new kings as Musingu's wait for glory continues
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Reading Time: 4min | Sat. 02.08.25. | 15:36
Shadrack Kiboi was the hero of the day, heading home the decisive goal in the 62nd minute after connecting with a swinging free kick from Rixon Simiyu
After five days of non-stop football, a new champion has been crowned in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) boys' football competition.
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St. Joseph's Boys High School Kitale, famously known as JOBO, defeated Musingu High School 1-0 to clinch their first-ever national title in front of a fully packed Mumias Sports Complex on Saturday, August 2.
Shadrack Kiboi was the hero of the day, heading home the decisive goal in the 62nd minute after connecting with a swinging free kick from Rixon Simiyu.
From the semifinal stages on Friday, it was already clear a new name would be etched into the history books, as Musingu had bundled out defending champions Highway Secondary School to book their place in the final.
The Scorpions were chasing their first national crown since 1984, when they famously beat Kakamega High School in a final held in Mombasa.
For JOBO, under the guidance of principal Cosmos Nabongolo, this final was a culmination of their rising pedigree after finishing third on their debut last year, which earned them a slot at the East Africa Games.
The match kicked off with a high tempo, with Musingu dominating the early exchanges and dictating the rhythm from the onset.
Marvin Ashiundu dazzled the crowd as he rotated past three defenders before slicing the ball into the penalty area in the 2nd minute.
Kelvin Mukaramoja was just inches away from turning it into an empty net.
Musingu kept the pressure on, with Haustine Olouch and Ashiundu relentlessly pinning The Brown Saints in their own third.
In the 10th minute, Instin Simiyu had a chance to put JOBO ahead with a free kick, but his cross landed safely in the hands of goalkeeper Georgina Chris.
Both teams were solid on the flanks, Musingu relied heavily on Ashiundu, while Simiyu led the charge for JOBO.
Quimba Shaban and Ronny Ochieng caused trouble down the right flank and almost created the opener when Eugene Baraza beat two defenders before setting up Ashiundu.
His powerful strike was headed goalwards but smartly intercepted by Obando Ronny, conceding a corner kick.
In the 20th minute, a poor midfield clearance nearly punished Musingu, as Simiyu latched onto the loose ball, forcing Chris off his line to clear the danger for a corner.
Moments later, Musingu launched another wave of attacks, but JOBO goalkeeper Vuradi Delvine was quick off his line to snuff out the threat.
After the water break, Ochieng Javan came close to breaking the deadlock with a thunderbolt from distance that narrowly sailed over the bar.
In the 30th minute, Musingu had another chance after Robison Oluoch dribbled past his marker and laid off the ball to Ashiundu, whose low shot towards the right corner missed by a whisker.
Ashiundu continued to torment Obando Ronny and Simiyu Rixon at the back, but none of his efforts troubled goalkeeper Delvine.
Five minutes before the break, Sabal Lugenda won a free kick for the Brown Saints, but his effort flew over the bar after a header from Ochieng Charles.
That proved to be the final action of the first half.
At halftime, with the stadium already alive from the earlier girls' final between Butere and Madira, the tempo was maintained by a surprise performance from renowned Luhya songwriter and singer David Baraza, who entertained the crowds.
Several political dignitaries also graced the event, mingling freely with fans.
Among them were former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, current Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, Senator Boniface Khalwale, famously AFC Leopards fan number three, and others.
The start of the second half was briefly delayed after former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala landed a private chopper right in the middle of the pitch, momentarily stealing the show.
When play resumed, Musingu had an early opportunity from a free kick, but Annan Okumu’s effort flew over the crossbar with too much power.
Both sides seemed cautious, opting to slow the tempo and avoid risky plays in the final third.
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In the 60th minute, Ashiundu came close again after a well-worked move by Mukaramoja, but he failed to connect cleanly as goalkeeper Vuradi Delvine came off his line swiftly to clear.
JOBO, though with fewer attacking chances than Musingu, remained composed and efficient.
Their moment arrived two minutes later when Rixon Simiyu won a free kick about 40 yards out and curled it perfectly into the area, where Kiboi rose highest to nod in his third goal of the tournament.
From that moment on, the writing was on the wall.
Musingu launched desperate attacks in the dying minutes, floating balls into the box in search of an equalizer, but the JOBO backline stood resolute.
At the final whistle, it was tears of joy for the Brown Saints, who celebrated their maiden national football title—and heartbreak for Musingu, whose long wait for glory will now stretch beyond four decades.
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