By Reuben Olita, Busia
Lakeview from Samia Sub-County was on Sunday crowned Busia County Mini-League champions after beating Boca Junior Malaba 2-0 in the finals played at Kamolo Compreshensive school grounds watched by a capacity crowd.
The two teams had battled to a goalless draw in the first half of the match commentated by Diblo Kaberia Elmago of Radio Jambo. Toby Marimba opened the scoring mid through the second half before Michael Ouma made it 2-0 in the dying minutes to be awarded a trophy, medals, a ball, and Ksh100,000.
Lakeview booked a ticket for the finals after beating Angorom 2-0 in the semi-finals played at Kokare Comprehensive School grounds.
Ten-man Malaba Boca Junior qualified for the finals after beating Amukura 3-1 on penalties in a thriller-a- minute encounter played at Kiriko Comprehensive School grounds.
The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw in normal and extra time ɓefore centre referee, Allan Andiega applied the penalty rule to decide eventual finalists.
Boca Junior substitute goalkeeper Anthony Itengo emerged the hero of the match by saving three penalties to propel his team to the finals.
Among those who witnessed the final clash included FKF Butula Branch chairman Moody Wodima, NSL Centre Referee Bonke Paul Okumu, FIFA Technical instructor referee Maxim Itur, former FIFA referee Agneta Itubo, Farouk Kibet’s PA Bethwel Isokat and FKF Bungoma Secretary General Ezekiel Murani.
FKF Busia Branch chairman Eugene Omudek Okello#Afobe 10 said next year’s cash awards for the winner will be upscaled to Ksh200,000.
” Our main objective was to was to reform football in Samia and Bunyala, he said, adding that Lakeview’s victory has confirmed their vision, ” he said, adding that all the 8 teams that qualified for the mini-league will in November participate in the President’s Cup.
Members of the Busia County Assembly Patrick Omanyala (Malaba North), Gardy Jakaa ( Bukhayo North/Walatsi), Bonface Ekada ( Malaba South), Farouk Kibet’s PA Bethwel Isokat, thanked Humphrey Ekirapa for the kind gesture of sponsoring the mini-league.
Among those who witnessed the final clash included NEC member Western Caleb Amwayi, FKF Butula Branch chairman Moody Wodima, his Bungoma counterpart, Denis Simiyu, NSL Centre Referee Bonke Paul Okumu, FIFA Technical instructor referee Maxim Itur, former FIFA referee Agneta Itubo, Farouk Kibet’s PA Bethwel Isokat and FKF Bungoma Secretary General Ezekiel Murani.
Boca Junior, which took runners-up position, received medals, a ball, and Ksh50,000. Third place finishers Amukura FC received Ksh20,000 and a ball with Angorom FC, which finished fourth,going home with Ksh10,000 and a ball.
Humphrey Ekirapa Foundation partnered with Youth Enterprise Development Fund and other sponsors, including PAS Arthur Osiya, who cartered for referee payments, and Egineer Vincent Sidai among others.
” This is not my first time to sponsor a tournament of this magnitude.I sponsored Abeneneko Ekirapa Cup between 1996 and 2000 to help idle youths against drugs and substance abuse which will help in combating the vice,”” he said.
Ekirapa added: ” I was approached by FKF branch officials to sponsor the mini-league finals which I obliged, adding that there are many youths in the county with talents such as Harambee Stars Deputy Captain Bonface Muchiri, and Emmanuel Osoro Teso North and Austin Odongo ( Bunyala) who have done us proud.”
Ekirapa said they have used the mini-league to nurture talents that abound in the county and that will ensure youth are exposed, noting that the vision of Humphrey Foundation is youth development which is key if a nation has to develop through youth involvement.
Ekirapa noted that he will continue sponsoring many youths, urging the FKF CEO who represented the federation president Hussein Mohammed, to send scouts to the county to identify talents that abound in the county.
Let’s sit as leaders and intensify talent search among youth. We shall be respected. We have prominent people. Trust the leadership, unity is key,” Ekirapa said.
Former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong lauded the two teams for displaying classic football and thanked the government for supporting sports, promising to solicit for more funding.
