By Jude Atwiine
Full time
Bukedea Comprehensive School 1(4)-(2)1 Mentor SS
Semi final
- Bukedea Comprehensive 3-0 Fort portal SS
- Mentor SS 1-0 Uganda Martyrs HS Lubaga
Overview
Okoli Andrew’s hands were as important as Deus Nuwaha’s feet in tilting the final into Bukedea’s tide. With two minutes left on the clock, Deus equalised for Bukedea to force the game into spot kicks.
Ogwang Gabriel Oyiru’s first half strike put Mentor SS ahead in the 26th minute. Nuwaha Deus struck for Bukedea with nearly the last kick of the game to force the game into penalties.
Just like the girls football final, the boys too needed penalties to separate them. Both sides were playing their first ever Elite Games final
Enroute the final, Mentor SS edged Uganda Martyrs 1-0 in a semi final played at Janan SS early morning.
In the quarter finals, Mentor came from a goal down against Kyadondo SS to force the game into penalties which they won 5-3.
On the other hand, ten- Bukedea eliminated St. Mary’s Kitende at the quarter finals in scintillating fashion having played out a one all draw.
They later beat Fortportal SS comfortably (3-0) thanks to a Yabil brace and Denis Ssewagudde free kick.
Prior to the final the two had earlier met in the opening group game where Mentor came from two goals down to earn a much deserved point.
Mentor SS seemed to know what they needed to do better against coach Ssali’s boys to come out victorious however it was never meant to be.
Throughout the campaign Mentor has been known for their winning mentality, tenacity, endurance and aggressiveness. A team well drilled that could sustain pressure in a mid block and press high thus not giving opponents any time for build up.
During the final, the height advantage of the Mentor boys proved to be a key factor as Bukedea struggled to get the better of them in the air, mind you, they looked equally as good with the ball on their feet.
What an ending to the Elite Games! A fair close to three quarters of the fans on the pitch seemed to rally behind Bukedea players for the title hence the loud cheers throughout the game.
A late equaliser and two penalty saves by Okuli was what Bukedea needed to win a maiden Elite Games title.
