By John Wycliffe Musinguzi
The National Boys’ Football Championship has reached the semifinals in Lira, with the remaining schools now eyeing gold.
Heading into yesterday’s quarterfinals, all eight teams were targeting qualification for the FEASSA Games — a feat achieved by the four semifinalists.
Kyaddondo SS defeated defending champions Buddo SS 1-0 to advance to the semifinals. Bashir Edema converted a first-half penalty to eliminate the defending champions and send Kyaddondo to their first-ever semifinal.
In the second quarterfinal, Amus College beat London College Nansana 1-0 courtesy of Josigar Mudasir’s second-half strike, returning to the semifinals for the first time since 2024.
Bukedea Comprehensive School overcame a stubborn Masaka SS side 4-1 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in normal time. Niwaha Deus had given Bukedea the lead at halftime before Simon Kafuma equalized in the 79th minute to send the game to penalties, where Bukedea prevailed comfortably.
In the final quarterfinal, record holders St Mary’s Kitende thrashed Masaka-based Numasa SS 6-0 to complete the semifinal lineup. Denis Kisiriko’s hat-trick, James Ssekate’s brace, and a goal from Claude Wakenge ensured an emphatic victory for Kitende.
The stage is now set for the semifinals, with two Wakiso Zone representatives and two Teso Zone giants battling for a place in the final.
Kyaddondo SS will face Bukedea Comprehensive School at 11 a.m. at Lira Town College.
Amus College will take on St Mary’s Kitende in the second semifinal, scheduled for the same time at Dr. Obote College.
Key to note, that the four semi finalists played each other at their zonal finals. In Wakiso, Kitende beat Kyaddondo SS to lift the title while in Teso, Amus beat Bukedea Comprehensive in the final played in Ngora.
The last time St Mary’s Kitende defeated Amus College was at the 2023 FEASSA Games in Rwanda. Since then, Amus has emerged as a stronger side, beating Kitende twice — at the 2024 National Boys’ Football Championship in Masaka and at the 2024 FEASSA Games co-hosted by Amus and Bukedea.
All four semifinalists have already qualified for the FEASSA Games, set to be held in Tanzania this August.
All semifinal matches will be broadcast live on FUFA TV, Tayari West TV, and streamed live on the USSSA Online YouTube channel.
