School Games: Musingu High School stun defending champions to book spot in KSSSA final

A new champion will be crowned after Musingu High School beat holders Highway Secondary School to book a place in the final of the 2025 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) football boys’ competition.

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Musingu, popularly known as Scorpions, outmuscled the defending champions 3-2 in a pulsating semifinal staged at the Mumias Sports Complex.

Otongolo Devilion and Rial Beliew were on target for Highway, while Marvin Ashiundu, Kelvin Mukaramoja, and an own goal secured the slim win for Musingu.

In what was a repeat of last year's final, both sides came into the game with a clear intent to rewrite history for their respective schools.

Highway, under the tutelage of Beldine Odemba and former Posta Rangers gaffer Bernard Kawinzi, were eyeing back-to-back national titles.

For Brenden Mwinamo and his Musingu charges, they came to the match knowing that a win would bring them closer to the trophy that has evaded them for 41 years.

Ahead of kick-off, Mwinamo made no changes to the side that kicked off the tournament with a convincing win over Moi Mbiruri High School.

On the other hand, Odemba made a single change, bringing in Dominic Mulusa between the sticks.

First Half

The Nairobi representatives started the match on the front foot, and within two minutes, captain Luis Ochieng had already won a free kick, although Rial Beliew’s effort flew over the bar.

From the fifth minute, both teams adopted a cautious approach, with most of the action concentrated in midfield.

Haustine Olouch and Highway’s Ian Nzise were in the thick of things, anchoring their respective midfields and covering every blade of grass.

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Fuelled by a raucous home crowd, Musingu settled in quickly and would begin asking questions at the Highway area.

In the 15th minute, Ochieng Ronny nearly broke the deadlock after a slick exchange involving Ashiundu and Mukaramoja, but goalkeeper Mulusa was quick off his line to deny them.

The close call prompted a loud and animated response from Odemba on the touchline, urging her defenders to tighten up.

Highway responded well and grew into the game.

But towering defender Okumu stood tall at the back, using his height and experience to clear every aerial threat.

On the flanks, Mukaramoja and Quimba Shaban kept probing down the right, but Highway’s Yusuf Omar and Alvin Oloo remained firm in defence.

In the 28th minute, a rare mistake by Okumu nearly cost Musingu.

His weak clearance fell kindly to Rial, who controlled and unleashed a long-range shot, but it flew just wide.

Highway’s Silvanus Foe, who had kept Musingu’s forwards in check for most of the half, won a free kick in a dangerous position, only for Oloo to blow it wide.

Minutes later, Peter Mulwa and Otongolo Devilion combined superbly to release Rial, who calmly slotted past the keeper to give Highway the lead with his fourth goal of the competition.

The goal momentarily silenced the crowd.

But just before halftime, Ashiundu capitalized on a defensive mix-up to equalize and stretch his tally in the tournament to seven.

Second Half

There was little to write home about the initial stages of the final stanza, as both teams were cautious and sat deep.

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Musingu made a change, bringing on Ouma Braxton for Kevin Manani, but it did not immediately impact the tempo, as the battle continued in midfield.

Despite Musingu’s calm build-up play, a Highway counter led to a moment of brilliance.

Rial lifted the ball to Otongolo, who volleyed it home to restore the Nairobi side’s lead.

Despite time running out, Musingu refused to give in.

In the 85th minute, Mukaramoja won a penalty and stepped up to convert, levelling the score once again.

Moments later, with just two minutes on the clock, Annan Okumu led a blistering counterattack that ended with a Highway defender inadvertently turning the ball into his net

.At full time, the Musingu fans flooded the pitch in celebration that their team had finally beaten the defending champions and are now just one match away from ending a 41-year title drought.

Musingu will face the winner between St. Joseph’s High School Kitale and Agai High School in the grand finale.