Tuesday’s results
Girls
Masheruka 1-0 Kakungulu
Seroma 2-3 St. Francis
Boys
St. Mark’s College Namagoma 2-7 Kakungulu
Light 1-1 Kyaddondo
The race for the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Ball Games II boys’ futsal title has been whittled down to four schools after the conclusion of the group stage on Tuesday, setting up two mouth-watering semifinal clashes at the championship in Gulu.
Only in its second edition after debuting in Tororo last year, the futsal competition has quickly become one of the highlights of the Ball Games programme, with high-scoring matches and emerging talent taking centre stage.
This year’s tournament will also produce a new champion after inaugural winners Mukono Kings opted not to defend their title.
Kakungulu complete semifinal cast
Kakungulu Memorial School sealed the final Group A qualification spot with a commanding 7-2 victory over St. Mark’s College Namagoma.
St. Mark’s started on the back foot and Kakungulu took full advantage. Even when they stabilised in the second half, it was a little too late.
Ibrahim Azabo starred with a hat-trick while Ronnie Asiimwe, Derrick Kuloba, Hassan Dairo and Abdurahman Sempa added a goal each. Mark Emuli and James Sserubiri scored for St. Mark’s.
The result saw Kakungulu finish as Group A runners-up behind unbeaten St. Francis SS Busunju.
In Group B, Light SS Soroti secured top spot after drawing 1-1 with Kyaddondo. Tournament top scorer Simon Peter Adupa put Light ahead before Junior Jude Kakooza equalised to ensure Kyaddondo also progressed as runners-up.
Girls’ race remains wide open
The girls’ competition, played on a round-robin basis, remains delicately poised.
Masheruka Girls revived their title hopes with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kakungulu. Despite Kakungulu dominating possession and creating the better chances, Daisy Ampaire’s solitary strike proved decisive in the dying minutes.
St. Francis Busunju then produced an impressive comeback to edge Seroma 3-2.
Seroma had looked on course for victory after goals from Anita Namubiru and Trashillah Kabalungu, but Sharon Wambeewo’s brace and an own goal turned the contest on its head to hand Busunju maximum points and leave the championship open heading into the concluding round.
Knockout stage beckons
Wednesday’s semifinals promise two intriguing contests. St. Francis SS Busunju, the only side to complete the group stage with a perfect record, face Kyaddondo in a clash between experience and youthful flair.
The second semifinal pits unbeaten Light SS Soroti against Kakungulu. Light have combined blistering pace with disciplined game management throughout the tournament, while Kakungulu arrive full of confidence.
The winners will progress to Thursday’s final, where the second edition of the USSSA Ball Games II boys’ futsal championship will crown new champions.
Wednesday’s fixtures
Girls U20
8am: Kakungulu vs St. Francis
Boys Classification Match
9am: St. Mark’s College Namagoma vs Rushoroza
Boys Semifinal 1
10am: St. Francis vs Kyaddondo
Girls U20
11am: Masheruka vs Seroma
Boys Semifinal 2
12pm: Light SS vs Kakungulu