Football: Vihiga Boys out, Ebwali into semis as County School Games near climax

Football defending champions Vihiga Boys’ team have bowed out of the Vihiga County Secondary School football games after a poor outing in the group stage this year.

Despite holding Ebwali Boys to a barren draw in the Thursday group matches, Vihiga could not proceed to the semis especially after Ebwali thrashed Chavakali High 3-0 as Senende Boys to held Vihiga to a 2-2 stalemate ending Vihiga’s dream of defending their title.

Ebwali coach Francis Muhambe who spoke after the game played at Mumboha playground said the ability of his players to contain Chavakali wingers who had posed a great danger to his defense significantly earned him the much desired victory.

Their victory will see the Luanda-based team now take on Emusire Boys from Emuhaya this Friday in the semis at Mumboha.

“Chavakali had very sharp wingers, had we not contained them under the first 25 minutes of play, we would now be out of this competitions,” Muhambe said.

Austine Odongo was on target before the halftime before Kevin Saka made it two for Ebwali after the resumption of the second half. Ebwali skipper Abu Swaleh scored the third goal to seal the win.

However, Muhambe dismissed his critics who claim that Ebwali is playing boring football, maintaining all he wants is victory.

“Entertainment in football is a foreign thing. The very fans who would want you to entertain them on the pitch will mock you if you fail to score. You would rather look for a shortcut to win a game than focus on ball possession and lose,” he stated.

On the Other hand, Chavakali tactician Hillary Muleri whose team has qualified to semis has assured fans of quality football as they now face Shamakhokho on Friday.

“Better lose with good football than win with bad football. If we manage to get to the regionals we will address the challenge of our porous defense then we are good to go. If we meet Ebwali again we will beat them. Chavakali do nott fear anybody, only that today they were under pressure to proceed to the semis and they managed to beat us,” Muleri said.

Ebwali went on top of pool B with 10 points after beating Ebusiloli 3-0, Senende 4-0 and Chavakali 3-0 before Vihiga held them to a barren draw.

Chavakali qualified for Semifinals after a 3-2 win against Vihiga Boys, beat Ebusiloli and Senende 2-0 to accumulate nine points.

Emusire Boys from Emuhaya will battle it out against Luanda’s Ebwali at Mumboha in the semifinals while Chavakali from Sabatia play Shamakhokho from Hamisi at Es’saba to get Vihiga’s represenatives in the Western region school games later July in Bungoma.

At the same time Madira is playing Kilingili at Es’saba while Mudavadi will be taking on Ibubi at Mumboha.