Friends School Bukembe football team were the biggest casualties at this year’s Bungoma County Secondary School Games staged at Friends School Kamusinga grounds on Tuesday.
The 2016 regional champions were eliminated in the semis by archrivals Kibabii Boys after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at an empty ground.
However, Kibabii’s victory over Bukembe was inconsequential as their quest for the title failed, with Lukhuna from Tongaren crowned champions.
The two teams had battled to a goalless draw in regular time before Lukhuna won on post-match penalties.
Lukhuna take over from Sirakalu, who used to dominate football in Bungoma County.
The match between Bukembe and Kibabii ended prematurely on Friday due to crowd trouble which left the centre referee nursing injuries.
Defending champions Bukembe was leading 1-0 when the match was abandoned.
Trouble started when Kibabii disputed a penalty awarded to their opponents and which would have sealed their fate at the games.
A hearing was held and the jury exonerated both teams from blame and ordered a replay but on a neutral venue and with no fans.
Bukembe caused a big upset during the regional games in Lodwar in 2016 when they qualified for the nationals after beating the then defending regional and national champions St Anthony's 2-1 in the finals.
Bukembe rewrote history when their youth team won the 2010 Sakata Ball national championships.
Bukembe had qualified for the national games in 2022 but Ebwali, whom they beat in the finals, petitioned over claims their opponents had fielded an ineligible player.
The jury found Bukembe culpable paving the way for Ebwali to represent the county at the national games.
Despite falling to Lukhuna, Kibabii has also secured a place at the regional games in Kakamega starting July 17.
Busia will be represented at the games by John Osogo Secondary School and Madende.
Kakamega will send Musingu and Shanderema while Vihiga will parade Vihiga Boys and Emusire.
