FEASSA Games 2024: St. Mary’s Kitende, Amus College set for grudge matches in opening Football fixtures

By Emmanuel Sekago

The stage is set for a thrilling start to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games 2024, as defending boys’ football champions St. Mary’s Kitende and last year’s runners-up, Amus College School, prepare for high-stakes matches against formidable Kenyan opponents on Monday, August 19th, 2024. Both games will take place at Amus College grounds, promising an explosive beginning to the competition.

St. Mary’s Kitende, the defending champions, will be seeking revenge as they open their title defense against Highway High School, the reigning Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association champions.

This matchup is particularly charged with emotion, as Highway High School famously knocked out St. Mary’s Kitende in the semifinals of the 2022 FEASSA Games in Arusha, Tanzania, with a narrow 1-0 victory. After missing last year’s games in Huye, Rwanda, Highway High School is back with a point to prove. However, they should be prepared for a much stronger and determined Kitende, now playing on home soil in Uganda.

Co-host Amus College School will face Musingu High School, the runners-up in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association. Amus College School, known as the Eastern giants, has been in a secret training camp, preparing meticulously for this competition.

Playing at home, they are determined to make a powerful statement from the outset. Musingu High School can expect a fierce challenge as Amus College seeks to capitalize on their home advantage and kick off their campaign with a resounding victory.

In the girls’ football category, co-host Amus College School will need to bring their A-game as they take on Kenya’s school champions, Butere Girls.

The match is expected to be a tough battle, but Andrew Okiring, coach of the Amus College School girls’ team, is confident. He stated that the only acceptable gift to their supporters and school leadership on Monday is to hammer Butere Girls. A strong performance in this opening match could set the tone for a serious title challenge.

St. Noa Girls will also have their hands full in their opening match, facing Tanzanite Secondary School of Tanzania, in what promises to be another closely contested fixture.

Other Sporting Disciplines; Netball: Defending champions St. Mary’s Kitende will face Andersen School of Kenya, while St. Noa Girls will take on Lutozo School of Tanzania. Kawanda Secondary School will challenge Dr. Samia School of Tanzania, and Kenya champions Oyugi Ogango will battle Buddo Secondary School.

Basketball 5×5: In the boys’ category, debutant and co-host Amus College School will face Agoro Sare School of Kenya. Defending champions Buddo Secondary School will open their campaign against Dr. Agrrey School of Kenya, while debutant Janan School of Uganda will meet Laiser Hill School of Kenya.

In the girls’ category, record holders Kitende will battle Orkeeswa School of Kenya, St. Noa Girls will face Butere Girls of Kenya, and Buddo Secondary School will clash with GS Marine Reine of Rwanda.

Stakeholders and fans, in interviews with Wallnetnews, expressed their excitement and high expectations for the opening fixtures of the FEASSA Games 2024. Many believe that the matches, particularly in football, will be intensely competitive, with Uganda’s top schools determined to defend their home turf.

High Expectations: “These opening matches are going to be pivotal. The teams from Uganda, especially Kitende and Amus, have a lot to prove, and they won’t go down without a fight,” said a  sports analyst.

Fan Anticipation: “There’s a lot of buzz around the Kitende vs. Highway High School match. After what happened in 2022, Kitende will be out for blood. It’s going to be a must-watch,” commented a fan.

Support for the Home Teams: “With the games being held in Uganda, there’s a lot of pressure on our schools to perform, but I believe they’ll rise to the occasion. The home crowd will definitely give them the boost they need,” Bukedea fan.

As the FEASSA Games 2024 get underway, the opening football matches will set the tone for what promises to be a highly competitive tournament. St. Mary’s Kitende and Amus College School are both on a mission to secure the title, but their Kenyan opponents are equally determined to make their mark.

With emotions running high and expectations even higher, these matches will be a true test of skill, strategy, and determination. Let the games begin!

Selected Opening Fixture for Uganda (Monday)
Football (Boys)
Kitende (Ug) vs Highway High (Ke)
Amus College (Ug) vs Musingu High (Ke)
Football (Girls)
Amus College (Ug) vs Butere Girls (Ke)
St Noa Girls (Ug) vs Tanzanite School (Tz)
Volleyball (Boys)
Bukedea Comp (Ug) vs Namwela School (Ke)
St Augustine (Ug) vs GSOB Butare(Rw)
Namugongo Voc vs Cheptil Sec Sch (Ke)
Volleyball (Girls)
Seroma Christian (Ug) vs St Elizabeth (Ug)
Bukedea Comp (Ug) vs Kesogon School (Ke)
Nabisunsa Girls (Ug) vs Masasi Day (Tz)
Basketball 5×5 (Boys)
Amus College (Ug) vs Agoro Sare (Ke)
Buddo Sec (Ug) vs Dr Agrey (Ke)
Hope School (Ug) vs ITS Gasogi (Rw)
Basketball 5×5 (Girls)
Kitende (Ug) vs Orkeeswa (Ke)
St Noa (Ug) vs Butere Girls (Ke)
Buddo Sec (Ug) vs GS Marine (Rw)
Netball
Kitende (Ug) vs Andersen (Ke)
St Noa Girls (Ug) vs Lutozo Sch (Tz)
Dr Samia School (Tz) vs Kawanda (Ug)
Buddo Sec (Ug vs Oyugi Ogango (Ke)
Basketball 3×3 (Girls)
Kitende (Ug) vs APE Rugunga (Rw)
Seroma Christian (Ug) vs Butere Girls (Ke)
Nabinsusa (Ug) vs Nasokol Girls (Ke)