St. Henry’s Kitovu (SHACK) which lost in the 2023 USSSA Football finals to St Mary’s Kitende has switched attention to East Africa games.

SHACK suffered a 1-0 narrow loss to Kitende on Saturday, May 22 in a game played at Nyakasura Playground in Fort Portal City of Kabarole District.

It was the first time the Masaka-based side reached the final stage of the gallant school’s football tournament.

SHACK’s head of scouting and recruitment, Godfrey Ssekabira aka Jeff revealed that plans for the East African games are underway after failing to clinch the local title.

“It’s time to look ahead of us that getting frozen in the moment of pain and frustration due to missing out on the gold medal in the finals,” Ssekabira told MTN Sports.

“Our squad is young and still finding chemistry. I do think we deserved more but am glad to say we achieved tremendously and it’s a good foundation going forward,” he added.

After marking 100 years last year, the achievement comes at the right time as the school is under the tutelage of Brother Augustine Magabo.

“We learnt a lot from the tournament. As a growing team, we faced a number of changes but they made us a stronger team. I know in the coming tournaments we shall be a better side.”

“The organisation was superb. The host school did a tremendous job to allow the championship to sail smoothly. The only challenge we got was the officiating which I think can be made better.”

Only Emmanuel Tumusiime, Marvin Belega and Samuel Okullo are the only players in the squad that are in S.6 and will be playing their last tournaments as La Mennais Cup and East Africa games in Huye Rwanda.

• Saturday, May 20
• St Mary’s Kitende 1-0 St Henry’s Kitovu

St Mary’s Secondary School Kitende (SMASK) clinched the 11th USSSA Football title to level record champions Kibuli SS.

St Mary’s Kitende has been crowned champions after edging St Henry’s Kitovu in a 1-0 victory at Nyakasura playground in Fort Portal.

Hanib Oloya’s goal was all that Kitende needed to walk back to Wakiso as Champions.

Samuel Lukooye warmed Marvin Ssebirango’s gloves with a long-range shot in the first minute of the game but the custodian dealt with the challenge.

Minutes later, Abubaker Walusimbi came close with a powerful but the effort went wide as the defending champions clearly showed intent right away.

In the fourth minute, Kitovu got their first chance through Collins Ocatre but the forward wrongly guided the ball with the goal at his disposal.

Kitende came close once again in the 23rd minute but Lukooye’s shot rattled off the crossbar before Kitovu’s backline cleared the ball far from danger.

Once again, Justine Opiro was the deliverer as his long throw-in gave Kitovu’s defender trouble.

Oloya headed the dropping ball into the back of the net before Nereko got the last touch as it rolled in.

But the goal was credited to Oloya after review.

Kitende was on the receiving end later on but was calm and sucked in the pressure from Kitovu.

The victory meant, Kitende managed to smartly defend the title after winning it last year in Arua.

It was a sweet revenge for Daniel Male’s troops who fell to Kitovu in a Group A game loss (2-1).

Kitende, Kitovu, Amus College and Royal Giants will represent Uganda in the East Africa games that will be hosted in Rwanda.

• Friday, May 19
• St Henry’s Kitovu 1(6)-1(5) Royal Giants

St Henry’s Kitovu continued with their impressive run advancing to the finals of the ongoing USSSA Games in Fort Portal.

In a game that was played at Nyakasura playground, Kitovu fought from a goal down to hold Royal Giants to a one-draw during normal time.

The centre referee sent the two sides into penalty kicks to see who takes the first spot in the contest for the prize.

Isa Bugembe gave Royal Giants the lead through a powerful volley that got the net shaking emphatically in the fourth minute.

Since then, Kitovu was the better side as they searched for a leveller though they concluded the first stanza a goal down.

Three minutes into the second stanza, Godfrey Ssekibengo restored parity for the Masaka-based side through a long-range shot that got the huge crowds on their feet in appreciation.

In the last minute of the game, Dramke Denish thought he had given Kitovu a well-deserved lead but the assistant referee had his flag up making an offside call.

After either side scored their five penalties, Kitovu’s Khalid Abubaker saw his penalty palmed away by custodian Shamran Kamya but Isa Bugembe failed to send Royal Giants into the finals after placing his effort wide.

Collins Ntale stepped and gave Kitovu the edge after making no mistake from the 12-yard mark before Isaac Apenyu missed to conclude Royal Giants’ chances of going further.

It will be the first time Kitovu will be playing the finals of USSSA Football but given their show in the previous games they could have a good chance to take the prize home.

Sunday, May 14, 2023

St. Henry’s Kitovu 2-1 St. Mary’s Kitende

St. Henry’s Kitovu ended St Mary’s Kitende’s perfect in the ongoing 2023 USSSA Games in Fort Portal.

Kitende fell to SHACK in a 2-0 loss which ended their splendid run having won five previous games without conceding a goal.

In the 18th minute, Lawrence Walakira rose highest and nodded home to give Kitovua a narrow lead.

Later on, Kitovu were reduced to ten men after Collins Ochatre was given marching orders.

From that note, Kitende was the better side as they came knocking on Kitovu’s door but the backline was up to the task.

In the 55th minute, Hakim Mutebi levelled matters thus restoring Kitende’s hope.

In the dying minutes, Alfred Ejoyi found the back of the net to give Kitovu maximum points as well as give the crowd a reason to get on top of their voices.

The victory took Kitovu to the top of the log with 16 points while Kitende drop into the second slot with 15 points.

Kitovu will take on Tororo Town College while Kitende will lock horns with Nakaseke International.

Group A Results

• St Henry’s Kitovu 2-1 St Mary’s Kitende
• Teso Progressive 1-1 Tororo Town College
• Latifah Mixed 1-0 Bishop Comboni
• Nakaseke International 1-0 Jinja Comp

St Henry’s College Kitovu (SHACK) picked their second victory in the ongoing Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Games on Wednesday.

SHACK picked a well-deserved 3-0 win against Jinja Comprehensive Secondary School at the Canon Apollo PTC playground.

It was the second victory after thrashing Bishop Comboni College 5-0 on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Teso Progressive Academy posted a 3-0 victory against Latifa Mixed Secondary School at Minor Seminary playground while Tororo Town College bounced from a loss to beat Nakaseke International School 2-1.

Nakaseke’s trouble was compounded after falling to a second loss.

“We take a game at a time. I am happy for the victory once again,” Ronald Komakech, SHACK assistant coach said.

“We have a dream. I am optimistic we shall do all it takes to ensure that we take home the prize,” he added.

SHACK are on top of the log with six points and eight goals in two games.

In the next game, SHACK will face Latifa Mixed Secondary School at Kicwamba (II) playground tomorrow at 3:00 pm.