By KPC Reporter
Hosts Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) capitalised on home advantage to clinch the bronze medal in rugby on the penultimate day of the Kenya Universities Sports Federation (KUSF) Ball Games playoffs, setting the stage for Sunday’s finals.
Popularly known as the Catholic Monks in rugby circles, CUEA edged out the University of Eldoret (UOE) 18–12 in a closely fought encounter to claim the first medal of the championships.
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Joshua Ongeri touched down first for the hosts, with Gabriel Ogweno adding the conversion to give CUEA a 7–0 lead.
UOE responded through Walter Agalombe, who slotted in a penalty to reduce the deficit to 7–3.
Ogweno later converted another penalty to stretch the hosts’ lead to 10–3, but Agalombe replied with a penalty of his own to make it 10–6 at halftime.
On resumption, Agalombe converted two penalties to hand the Rift Valley-based side a narrow 12–10 advantage.
However, buoyed by their home supporters, CUEA regained the lead with a successful penalty to edge ahead 13–12.
Late drama followed when Jeremy Odhiambo touched down for a try that sparked celebrations among the home crowd. Victor Rheins missed the conversion, but CUEA still sealed an 18–12 victory.
In women’s handball, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) will face Daystar University in the final following dominant semifinal performances.
Former champions MMUST edged out Machakos University 19–13, while Daystar beat University of Eldoret 21–8 to book their place in the title match.
MMUST captain Faith Kiptim expressed confidence ahead of the final, saying the team is determined to remain unbeaten and reclaim the title for Kakamega.
“We managed to beat Egerton, which was not that easy. We played a simple but tough game to secure the win. We want to do our best to carry the title home. As a team, we are very much prepared to secure victory. As a school, we don’t want to lose even a single match. We have to fight to the last minute,” said Kiptim.
In the men’s handball category, Kenyatta University (KU) will face Chuka University in the final following impressive semifinal performances.
KU edged out Rongo University 30–25 to reach the final, while Daystar University beat Chuka 28–19 to storm into the title clash.
Earlier in the quarterfinals, KU defeated Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 23–21, Daystar edged Meru University of Science and Technology 26–25, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) beat Rongo University 22–16, while Chuka University eliminated University of Eldoret 25–22.
In men’s football, debutants Bomet University College (BUC) goalkeeper David Situma emerged as the hero after saving two penalties to send his side into the semifinals against Zetech University. After a goalless draw in regulation time, BUC triumphed 5–4 in a tense penalty shootout.
Situma, who also captains the side, credited their preparation for the crucial saves.
“I managed to save two penalties to see my team reach the semifinals. I was motivated by our training. We do a lot of training on penalties and we want a slot to the East Africa Championships,” he said.
In other men’s football quarterfinal matches, Kenyatta University beat Tharaka University 1–0, KCA University recorded a narrow 4–3 win over Murang’a University of Technology, while Kibabii University eliminated Dedan Kimathi University of Technology 2–0.
The semifinals will see Kenyatta University face Bomet University College, while KCA University take on Kibabii University.
In women’s football, Zetech University, who feature in the Kenya Women Premier League, will meet Kenyatta University in the semifinals, while Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) face Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Kenyatta University reached the last four with a 1–0 win over the University of Nairobi, JOOUST edged University of Eldoret 3–2, Zetech thrashed JKUAT 5–0, while MMUST beat Egerton University 3–2.
In women’s hockey semifinals, MMUST will take on the University of Nairobi, while JKUAT face United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa).
MMUST edged Moi University 2–0 via penalty flicks after a goalless draw, while the University of Nairobi defeated JOOUST 2–1. USIU-Africa beat Meru University of Science and Technology 4–1, and JKUAT overcame Chuka University 2–0.
In men’s hockey semifinals, Kenyatta University will face Technical University of Mombasa, while Strathmore University take on the University of Nairobi.
Technical University of Mombasa beat Chuka University 1–0, Kenyatta University defeated Kibabii University 2–0, Strathmore University overcame KCA University 2–0 on penalties, while the University of Nairobi edged Moi University 1–0 via penalties.
