Uganda’s representatives at the CAF Africa Schools Football Championship in Ghana, St Noa Girls School and St Mary’s Kitende, returned home on Sunday evening following their Stellar performances.
The CAF Africa Schools Football Championship is organized by CAF and sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation. The third edition was held in Ghana from 21st to 26th April, with the closing ceremony held at the University of Ghana, presided over by the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Mahama. Other guests included CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, CAF EXCOM Members, CECAFA President Wallace Karia, FUFA President Hon. Moses Magogo, among others
St Noa Girls School finished second after losing to hosts Ghana 2-0 in the final.
The girls had had an impressive run before with 4 consecutive wins and 4 clean sheets in the first four games
St Noa beat former champions South Africa 1-0 in their opening game before thrashing Gambia and DR. Congo 3-0 each.
The girls proceeded to the semi-finals and faced Morocco, whom they defeated 2-0 to storm the finals for the first time in history.
Grace Kawiino stole the continental show, scoring three goals in the first three consecutive games, all coming from the bench. Kawiino’s first game came in the opening game against South Africa in the 23rd minute, 37 seconds after she was subbed on. She also scored against The Gambia and DR. Congo in the last group games.
Having bagged Silver, St Noa Girls School will receive sports infrastructure worth 200,000$ in addition to the 100,000$ they had won at the regional qualifiers.
St Mary’s Kitende finished fourth in the boys’ category after losing the third-place playoff game to hosts Ghana.
The boys kicked off with a 2-0 loss to Ghana on 23rd April before registering two resounding results against Algeria and South Africa, 4-0 and 4-1 respectively.
Having gathered 6 points with and five goals, the boys progressed to the semi-finals and faced their last year’s group mates, Senegal a game that ended 0-0 in normal time, and Senegal won the penalty shootouts 6-5 to eliminate Uganda.
Following their knockout, the boys had a chance to bag bronze but fell short to hosts Ghana in the third-place game played on the final day, 26th April.
Hosts Ghana came from a goal down to stun a second-half comeback to win bronze. Henry Muhozi had given Kitende the lead with a powerful shot inside the box earlier in the first half.
Despite not winning any medal, St Mary’s Kitende has set a record of becoming the first Ugandan school to reach semi semi-finals of this prestigious tournament.
Tanzania’s boys’ Football Team successfully defended their title, which means that CECAFA retains its two slots.
Hosts Ghana, on the other hand, won the girls’ title.