Drama, penalties and a brewing eligibility scandal have rocked the Kisumu County Secondary Schools boys football finals after defending champions Kisumu Day were dumped out 4-3 by Onjiko Boys in the semi-final, only for the final to be abandoned due to fading light and a formal appeal over allegedly ineligible players. 

The clash was held at Moi Stadium in Kisumu City and drew a mammoth crowd of fans who filled the stadium to capacity. 

In an exclusive interview with People Sports, Kisumu Day Deputy Principal Gordon Kagolla revealed that the school had lodged an appeal against Onjiko Boys for allegedly fielding two ineligible players during the semi-final. 

“Kisumu Day submitted an appeal on Saturday, June 21, 2025, to the match commissar, Tobias Ounga, at Moi Stadium at around 3:15 pm We are protesting Onjiko’s fielding of two ineligible players, who we believe used fake names and impersonated registered students,” said Kagolla. 

In a separate interview, Onjiko Boys’ games master and football coach Victor Osir said his team is ready for the replayed final. 

“We are prepared and ready to face Agai in the county final wherever the Kisumu County Secondary Schools ball games jury decides to hold it,” Osir said. 

During regular time, Kisumu Day took the lead in the 23rd minute through Neville Simiyu, a prodigy and son of former Chemelil Sugar FC striker David Simiyu, who starred in the Kenya Premier League in the late 1990s. 

Simiyu broke the deadlock after connecting with a cross from teammate Ngolobo Kante while playing under the guidance of the school’s games master, Booker Odhiambo. 

However, Onjiko Boys from Nyando sub-county equalised shortly after the break through a well-taken free kick by Frankline Ojiambo, forcing the match into extra time.

With the scores still level at 1-1 after the extra period, the game was decided via penalties. 

Kisumu Day converted three penalties through Neville Simiyu, Nicholas Otieno, and Emmanuel Ochieng, popularly known as “Manu” in Kisumu Day football circles.  

Onjiko, however, netted four successful spot-kicks through Taber Nanyanga, Brian James, Frankline Ojiambo, and Stanley Nabone to seal their place in the final. 

Earlier, in another semi-final match played at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Agai Mixed Secondary School defeated Kasagam Secondary 2-0 to secure their spot in the final. 

The final between Agai and Onjiko, held at the same venue, ended in a goalless draw in regular time and was set to be decided by penalties. However, the Agai team officials declined to proceed with the shootout due to poor lighting conditions, leading to the abandonment of the match. 

Agai Principal Gordon Akoko, in an interview with People Sports, confirmed that the final would be replayed after the one-week secondary school half-term break beginning today. 

“The final match between Agai Mixed Secondary School and Onjiko Boys will be replayed after the half-term break on a date to be decided by Kisumu County Secondary Schools Ball Games officials,” Akoko said.