By George Katongole
Tuesday’s decisive fixtures
Girls U20
9am: Masheruka Girls vs Kakungulu
11am: Seroma vs St. Francis
Boys U20
10am: St. Mark’s College Namagoma vs Kakungulu
12pm: Light SS vs Kyaddondo
Light SS Soroti underlined their status as favourites for the U20 boys’ futsal title after crushing St. Mary’s College Rushoroza 9-0, while St. Francis SS Busunju maintained their perfect record as the USSSA Ball Games II futsal competition edged closer to the knockout stage on Monday.
With the final round of group matches due on Tuesday, semifinal places remain up for grabs before the last four battle it out on Wednesday and the finals are played on Thursday.
Light hit top gear
Light produced the biggest victory of the day, inspired by Simon Peter Adupa, who netted five goals in the demolition of Rushoroza.
Emmanuel Osekenye added two goals while Benon Okolimong also got on the scoresheet as Rushoroza’s hopes of progressing were extinguished after a third straight defeat.
The comprehensive victory left Light top of Group B with six points from two matches, having scored 12 goals and conceded just once.
Busunju maintain perfect run
In Group A, St. Francis SS Busunju, who formerly played in the Futsal Super League, showed that experience matters as they stretched their unbeaten run to three matches with a commanding 5-2 victory over Kinaawa High Mugongo.
Collin Talemwa starred with a hat-trick while Allan Bakiika and Ismail Mubiru each scored once. Meddie Iga and Moses Baguma replied for Kinaawa, whose elimination was confirmed after a third successive defeat.
Busunju have now collected the maximum nine points and have already sealed top spot in Group A, leaving St. Mark’s College Namagoma and Kakungulu Memorial School to battle for the second semifinal place.
10-goal thriller steals the show
The match of the day came in Group B, where Seroma Christian High School and Kyaddondo SS played out a thrilling 5-5 draw.
Kyaddondo relied heavily on Junior Joseph Kakooza, who struck four times, while Ellis Tidhom added the fifth.
Seroma responded through Stephen Ongora’s brace, Jeremiah Wamono, Nathan Wafula and an own goal by Henry Muwanguzi.
The draw leaves Light in pole position on six points, with Kyaddondo and Seroma both on four points heading into the final group fixtures. Light need only avoid defeat against Kyaddondo to finish top of the group, while Seroma’s fate depends on the outcome of that encounter.
Girls’ race goes to the wire
The girls’ competition remains wide open after Masheruka Girls held St. Francis SS Busunju to a 1-1 draw. Vanessa Atwiine scored for Masheruka before Busunju equalised through Vicky Akankwatsa’s own goal.
Seroma also shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw with Kakungulu Memorial School. Prashilah Kabalungu scored twice for Seroma while Treasure Nazziwa matched her with a brace for Kakungulu.
Seroma lead the standings with five points, followed by Kakungulu Memorial and St. Francis SS Busunju on four points apiece. Masheruka Girls, on two points, also remain in contention, ensuring all four teams head into the final day with something to play for.