Hamisi bags a brace as Uganda's Bukedea stun Musingu to bag East African School Games title

The Ugandan giants rallied from behind to stun the Kenyan champions in the makeshift venue, successfully defending their regional title.

Musingu had opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Quimba Shaban who made a sublime finish from Haustine Oluoch’s high cross into the six-yard box.

The Scorpions’ celebrations only lasted four minutes, as Busenge Hamisi manipulated the ball excellently into the penalty area, turning Musingu’s defender inside out before finishing off brilliantly to level the scores.

Both teams continued their search for a second goal but it did not bore fruit as they settled for a 1-1 draw at the break.

Bukedea came with a different gear in the second half, with Hamisi Busenge producing his magic once again, leaving Musingu’s defender for dead before converting a low shot into the bottom left corner to give his side a 2-1 lead.

The Scorpions began their search for an equalizer, but Bukedea’s defenders did well to keep their attackers at bay.

Head Coach Ronald Ssali was awed by his boys’ comeback to retain their title.

“Musingu is a very tough side, they opened the scoring but we fought back and won the game. I’m very happy for the impressive shift my boys put in. Our focus now shifts on World School games,” said Ssali.

Musingu’s head coach Brenden Mwinamo on the other side promised a comeback next year.

“We put in a fight but it wasn’t our day today. We will continue working towards achieving the target of claiming the national and East Africa’s title.”

Earlier, Musingu were forced to play St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale for around five minutes in the semi-final, before edging them out 4-3 in post-match penalties after the match was abandoned yesterday at a scoreline of 1-1.

The girls’ clash produced a blockbuster as Kawempe Muslim stunned defending champions St. Noa Girls in an all-Ugandan affair at Bukhungu Stadium.

In handball, St. Lukes Kimilili Boys and Moi Girls Kamusinga reclaimed their titles after stunning Adego and Mbogo respectively.

St. Lukes Kimilili had to dig deep to stun Rwandese side Adego 31-30 in the end to end game.

Moi Girls Kamusinga head coach Godfrey Simiyu on the other side had to seek help from other Kenyan coaches at halftime to turn the tie around and win 26-25 after trailing 16-14 at halftime.

Simiyu was elated after reclaiming the title, unbeaten, after relinquishing it in 2022.

“I’m very happy for this win, it has not been easy. I was forced to engage Kimilili’s head coach Opicha with other Kenyan coaches to talk to the girls at halftime and managed to turn the game around.”

“This win is not just for Kamusinga but for Kenya,” Simiyu added.