By Shyat Lemoshira

Basketball

The USIU-Africa Flames and the USIU-Africa Tigers, our basketball teams, competed in the 5th Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) 3x3 Basketball Challenge in Johannesburg, South Africa from Thursday, June 22 to Sunday, June 25.

The USIU-Africa Flames players were Aaliyah Havyarimana, Divine Irakoze, Frida Yagomba and Judith Edward Pantaleo while the Tigers had Vitumbiko Mponela, Deng Kuol aka Mareba, Sammy Gichohi and Jay Kiplagat. The Flames and the Tigers faced the American University of Cairo (AUC) and the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in the finals, respectively. The Flames lost 15-21 and the Tigers lost 12-21. Regardless of the losses, both teams were runners up and were awarded silver medals. Congratulations to the teams as they displayed great performances and have qualified for the International University Sports Federation (FISU) University World Cup 3x3 World Basketball that will be held in China.

Hockey
Team Spartans, the USIU-Africa ladies’ hockey team, conquered the Strathmore Scorpions with a 2-1 win on Sunday, June 25. Naomi Kemunto first scored in the 19th minute, but Grace Bwire of Strathmore Scorpions equalized in the 51st minute. Marion Otieno scored the Spartans’ second goal at the last minute of the fourth quarter giving them a glorious win over the Scorpions, who were the previous Kenya Hockey Union Premier League Women champions. After their last 6 games (3 wins, 2 losses and 1 loss), the Spartans are currently ranked 4th with 11pts.

The USIU-Africa men’s hockey team, Team Mashujaa, unfortunately lost 0-1 to Kenya Police on Sunday, June 25. Team Mashujaa had many chances but failed to convert them. After their 3rd loss of the season, they are in 8th place with only 1 win this season.

Rugby
The USIU-Africa Martials, the men’s rugby team, had an exciting friendly against Chipu, the Team Kenya Under 20 Rugby team on Saturday, June 24. The Martials beat them 25-20 after tries made by Elvis Kadima, Don Ochieng (2), Paul Mukhisa and Fred Okoth. Fred Okoth, Baron Omondi, Samuel Koliech, Elvis Kadima, and Denzel Washington provided the assists in the respective order of tries. Congrats to Team Chipu as they prepare to represent Kenya in future championships.

Soccer
The Strathmore International Students Association has invited USIU-Africa to compete in the international 7 aside football tournament as Strathmore hosts the International Students Sports Day & Exhibition that will be held on Friday, June 30 at Strathmore University grounds. Our men’s soccer team, the USIU-Africa Wolves will be representing USIU-Africa in the tournament with 2 teams (Team Nkana and Chui). Moreover, the men’s soccer team will have a friendly against the Kenya Institute of Surveying and Mapping on Saturday, July 1.

Netball
The USIU-Africa netball team, the Hurricanes, will have a friendly match against Kenya Institute of Surveying and Mapping on Saturday, July 1 at 11am in USIU-Africa grounds.