Twelve schools ready to battle for Uganda’s slot at CECAFA Zonal championship for CAF African schools football championship qualifiers

By Emmanuel Sekago
The stage is set for an intense showdown as twelve of Uganda’s top secondary schools prepare to compete for a coveted slot to represent the country at the CECAFA Zonal Championship for the CAF African Schools Football Championship qualifiers.

Defending champions and CECAFA Zonal Schools champions, St. Mary’s Kitende, will be looking to maintain their dominance, but they will face stiff competition from eleven other formidable teams.

The schools vying for the top spot include Amus College School, Teso College-Aloet, Bukedea Comprehensive School, Buddo Secondary School, Kyadondo Secondary School, St. James Secondary School-Buddo, Dynamic Secondary School, St. Andrew Kagwa Gombe High School-Kawaala, Lubiri Secondary School, Royal Giants-Mityana, and Standard High School-Zaana.

These schools will compete in the CAF Schools Football Boys Qualifiers, with the third edition of the tournament set to kick off on Monday, September 2nd, and run until September 9th, 2024, at Teso College-Aloet.

The stakes are high, as the champion boys’ and girls’ teams will earn the honor of representing Uganda at the CECAFA Zonal Championship. Historically, Ugandan schools have performed exceptionally well in these tournaments.

In the second edition, St. Mary’s Kitende (SMASK) capped off their CECAFA Zonal CAF African Schools campaign in style, winning the championship and pocketing a giant cheque. The team edged Tanzania 4-2 in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time, played at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. Kitende showcased their prowess throughout the tournament, scoring 12 goals while conceding only three.

Uganda’s track record at the CECAFA Zonal level is impressive. In the first edition, Amus College School’s girls’ team finished third at the 2023 CECAFA Zone CAF Pan Africa School Football U-15 girls’ championship, securing a 1-0 win over Rwanda’s Kiramuzi MS in the third-place play-off.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s Royal Giants clinched the boys’ category in the same edition, triumphing over Ethiopia’s Geda Royal S.S 4-3 in post-match penalties after a goalless draw during regular time, held at the Azam Sports Complex, Chamazi in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.

In the second edition, Kawempe Muslim seized the girls’ championship title, defeating Kenya 2-1. After an early goal by Lindey Weey Atieno of Kenya, Kawempe staged a remarkable comeback, with Shadia Nabirye equalizing and Shaluwah Butini scoring the winning goal, ensuring Uganda’s victory at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.

As the qualifiers draw near, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. Ronald Mulajje, the games teacher, shared his thoughts with Wallnetnews on the upcoming competition at Teso College-Aloet, emphasizing the level of focus and preparation needed for such a prestigious tournament.

Sylus Oluka, games teacher at Teso College-Aloet, expressed enthusiasm for their first-time participation, highlighting the significance of the event for the school and their aspirations to make a strong impression. Meanwhile, Calvin Opio, games teacher at Amus College School, discussed the competition’s intensity and their team’s focus on securing victory.

With such a rich history of success and a lineup of determined teams, the CAF African Schools Football Championship qualifiers at Teso College-Aloet promise to be a thrilling and competitive event. As these twelve schools go head-to-head, only time will tell which team will emerge victorious and earn the honor of representing Uganda on the CECAFA Zonal stage.