National Post Primary Qualifiers – Jinja
Jinja SS 1(2) – 1(4) Jinja Progressive
Kakindu Stadium, Jinja
Monday, April 03
Jinja Progressive emerged winners of the National Post Primary football qualifiers in the Jinja Region after defeating rivals Jinja SS 4-2 on penalties.
The two sides had drawn 1-1 in normal time in what was an ill-tempered contest played at Kakindu stadium in the heart of Jinja district.
James Jarieko gave JIPRA the early lead with a brilliant header off a brilliant cross from the left by Richard Okello.
However, Reagan Isabirye headed home the leveler on the half-hour mark to bring the game level as the crowds cheered aloud.
Moments after the equalizer, Jarieko volleyed an acrobatic kick onto the cross bar, in what would’ve been a potential winner fir JIPRA who had lost the past two finals to Jinja SS.
During the tense post-match penalty shoot-out, JIPRA goalkeeper Adrian Isabirye was the hero with two penalty saves they won 4-2. Isabirye dived to his right to save Icon Jordon and Churchhill Ochan’s shots. Only John Owino and Alvin Wanume scored for Hassan Zzungu’s Jinja S.S.
JIPRA was clinical in the shoot-out. Lookman Lwanga, Sowedi Lwenda, Sudice Ngobi and skipper Jarieko scored past goalkeeper Azizi Saleh. Only Yasin Masembe had razed his shot off the cross bar.
There were ugly scenes moments after the Jarieko’s winning penalty for JIPRA as the crowd got rowdy.
These two schools are likely to face off at the upcoming Eastern region zonal championships due in Iganga district. Three schools will qualify for the nationals in Fort Portal city from Eastern region.
