TODAY: SEMIFINAL
- Kitende vs Risah Standard Academy
Masaka vs St. Joseph Layibi
St.Marys College Kitende had to draw on mettle and skills to beat defending champions Kibuli Secondary School to reach the semi-finals of the Copa Coca-Cola Schools football tournament.
The seven time winners of the tournament, Kitende have Alfred Leku to thank for the only goal that saw off the nine time champions; the most successful side in the history of the prestigious schools’ tournament that is sponsored by the world’s biggest soft drinks manufacturer, Coca-Cola.
The two power houses were drawn head to head after Kitende beat Amus SS in a penalty shootout and Kibuli unconvincingly beat Jinja SS 1-0 in the quarter finals.
In the other quarter final matches, Masaka SS beat Citizens High School 2-0, while St. Josephs saw off Ryakasinga 1-0.
The semi final slots have already been drawn and Kitende meets Risah Standard Academy as Masaka SS plays St. Joseph Layibi in the 23rd Edition of the tournament that was flagged off by President Yoweri Museveni on 27th April in Hoima, with sixty schools taking part in the competition that is scheduled to end next week.
Kibuli and Kitende have dominated the tournament with nine and seven trophies respectively, successes that have been attributed to the time, money and efforts put in by the schools.
For instance it is said that Kitende SS proprietor Lawrence Mulindwa, a vice chairperson of the regional soccer body CECAFA, reportedly sends scouts to spot talent countrywide, and later offers bursaries and monetary awards to the prospective players.
This year, there have been a few cases of fielding ineligible players and only Kigezi High School was disqualified for fielding a ‘mercenary goalkeeper’.
