Uganda are the silver medalists in the concluded CAF African Schools Football Championship after losing out to Senegal 5-4 in post-match penalties whilst Ghana successfully defended their girls’ title with a 9-8 victory in post-match spot kicks Burkina Faso.

Losing out on Winner prize money of $300,000 Uganda who were represented by St Mary’s Kitende take home  $200,000.

The first half of 20 Minutes ended in a deadlock with limited chances . It was the second half that produced opportunities for both sides with Uganda’s Shakur Ngobi blasting just over the bar from close range after being set up by Owen Mukisa. Ugandan goalkeeper Imran Ssebbale would then produce a fine save from Mamadou’s half volley to keep the match even.

The match would end in a draw and winner determined by post-match penalties. It was a similar ending for the girls category as Ghana successfully defended their girls’ title with a 9-8 victory in post-match spot kicks over fellow West Africans Burkina Faso after a goal-less draw.

The competition finals held at Ngoni stadium in Harare city, Zimbabwe was graced by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe and other dignitaries and is the fourth edition of the African Schools Programme that was launched way back in 2022.

Tanzania and Uganda are the winners of the Boys and Girls categories at the CAF African Schools Football Championship – CECAFA qualifier that climaxed on Thursday in Uganda.

The Tanzania team handled by former International Boniface Pawasa defeated Rwanda 2-0 in their last deciding match to finish ahead of Uganda on better goal difference since each collected six points.

Elick Yusuph converted a penalty in the first half, and Jabiri Farijala wrapped it up with a second half goal at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende. “I am very happy that we are the

champions of the tournament. It was hard work and now we shall need to focus to preparing a team for the continental tournament,” said Pawasa

The earlier Boys match saw Burundi hold Somalia to a goalless draw.

In the Girl’s category Uganda emerged Champions with a better goal difference than Tanzania who also finished with 7 points.

Uganda humbled Rwanda 8-0 in an earlier match with Brendah Nassaka scoring four goals, while Halima Mupyanga scored a brace. Cynthia Kirenga and Lilian Nabukeera also got their names on the score sheet.

The second match saw Tanzania stop Burundi 1-0 with Helena Mtundagi scoring the lone goal. Lilian Nabukeera, Uganda’s captain thanked all her teammates for the hard work. “We are very happy to be the champions,” she added.

While the champions Tanzania and Uganda received medals and trophies at the Awards ceremony, they also picked a US$10,000 the dummy cheque of US$100,000 respectively.

Uganda’s Boys team and the Tanzania Girls team collected their medals and a dummy cheque of US$75,000 each, while Somalia and Burundi who came third in the Boys and Girl’s categories respectively also picked medals and dummy cheques of US$50,000 each.

The CAF Africa Schools Football Championship is sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation.

Uganda’s Brendah Nassaka has said winning the top scorer’s Award at the Zonal CAF African Schools Football Championship has excited her.

Nassaka, a student of St. Noah Girls School netted four goals in their 8-0 win against Rwanda on Thursday. “I am very happy that I scored four goals and helped my team emerge champions of the Girls category,” said a happy Nassaka.

She made it clear that as a forward scoring goals is what makes her happy. “I am very happy to score four goals in a regional tournament and win the Award. But this also gives me another chance at the continental level when we play next year,” added Nassaka.

During the Awards ceremony on Thursday Uganda’s Haira Naboosa was also voted Best goalkeeper, Rwanda picked the Fair Play Award, while Burundi’s Ella Louange Kezimana was voted best Girl’s Player.

In the Boys category Tanzania picked the Fair Play Award, Jean Marie Irakiza (Burundi) was the Best goalkeeper, while Uganda’s Ashraf Kyakuwa was the Best Player.

Awards

Girls

Fair-Play Award – Rwanda

Best Goalkeeper – Haira Naboosa (Uganda)

Top Scorer – Brendah Nassaka (Uganda)

Best Player – Ella Louange Kezimana (Burundi)

Boys

Fair-Play Award – Tanzania

Best Goalkeeper – Jean Marie Irakiza (Burundi)

Top Scorer – Not Awarded as six player scored a goal each

Best Player – Ashraf Kyakuwa (Uganda)

The Somalia team has revived their title hopes in the Boys category at the on-going Zonal CAF African Schools Football Championship in Uganda.

After kick starting their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Uganda and a draw against Tanzania on Tuesday, the Somalia team defeated Rwanda 2-1 in a tough match played today at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

Zakariya Osman gave the Somalia team the lead, and Olivier Nshimiyimana leveled matters. But the Somalia team did not give up and piled lots of pressure to earn a penalty that skipper Bashir Hassan converted.

The win takes Somalia to second place with 4 points, behind Uganda (6 points) who only managed goalless draws against Tanzania and Burundi in matches played on Wednesday.

“We are hungry and will be determined to beat Burundi on Thursday so that we win the Cup,” said Somalia’s Captain Bashir Hassan. The two matches in the Boys category between Somalia and Burundi, and Tanzania against Rwanda will decide which team wins the Cup. Uganda who top the log have played all their 4 matches and can only keep their fingers crossed.

In the Girls category Uganda and Tanzania settled for a goalless draw, while Burundi humbled Rwanda 3-0. Erica Iradukunda netted a brace, while Emelyne Shurwenylmana Emelyne was also on target for the third placed Burundi team that has collected 3 points. Tanzania and Uganda each have 4 points going into the final day on Thursday.

Rwanda will face Uganda, while table leaders Tanzania battle Burundi in the final Girls’ matches to be played on Thursday.

The winners in each category will qualify to represent the Zone at the continental Championship next year. The winner will also bag US$100,000, the runner-up US$75,000, and the third placed US$50,000. The Championship is also supported by the Motsepe Foundation.