catholic monks win bronze at ongoing university games
Hosts Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) took advantage of playing at home to clinch the bronze medal on the penultimate day of the Kenya Universities Sports Federation (KUSF) Ball Games playoffs ahead of Sunday’s finals.
Popularly known as the Catholic Monks in rugby circles, CUEA edged out the University of Eldoret (UOE) 18–12 to claim the first medal of the championships.
Joshua Ongeri touched down first for the hosts before Gabriel Ogweno added 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 extend 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 give the Rift Valley-based side a narrow 12–10 advantage. However, the hosts, buoyed by their home supporters, regained the lead with a successful penalty to go 13–12 ahead.
Late drama followed when Jeremy Odhiambo touched down for a try that sparked celebrations among the home crowd. Victor Rheins failed to convert, but CUEA still secured 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 spot in the final.
MMUST captain Faith Kiptim said the team is determined to remain unbeaten as they aim to take the title back to 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 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 match.
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 22–16, while Chuka eliminated University of Eldoret 25–22.
Debutants Bomet University College (BUC) goalkeeper David Situma saved two penalties against Zetech University to send his side into the men’s football semifinals.
After a goalless draw in regulation time, BUC triumphed 5–4 in the penalty shootout.
Situma, who also captains the side, said their preparation in penalty situations helped secure the victory.
“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,” said Situma.
In other 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.
In the semifinals, KU will face BUC, while KCAU take on KIBU.
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.
KU reached the semifinals with a 1–0 win over University of Nairobi, JOOUST edged UOE 3–2, Zetech thrashed JKUAT 5–0, while MMUST beat Egerton University 3–2.
In women’s hockey semifinals, MMUST will take on 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 UON defeated JOOUST 2–1. USIU-Africa beat Meru University of Science and Technology 4–1, and JKUAT overcame Chuka 2–0.
In men’s hockey semifinals, KU will face Technical University of Mombasa, while Strathmore University take on UON.
TUM beat Chuka 1–0, KU defeated Kibabii University 2–0, Strathmore overcame KCAU 2–0 on penalties, while UON edged Moi University 1–0 via penalties
