By John Baptist Opua
Football fever has gripped Lira City as the highly anticipated finals of the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Football Tournament are set to ignite the Ambalal Primary School grounds on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
The clash between local powerhouses Mentor Secondary School (Mentor SS) and Dr. Obote College (DOC) promises an electrifying encounter that has fans on the edge of their seats.
Originally scheduled for an earlier date, the finals were postponed to allow both teams ample time to recover and strategize after a series of grueling matches.
The delay has only intensified the anticipation, with local football enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the showdown.
Mentor SS, the defending champions, have demonstrated their tenacity throughout the tournament.
Their journey to the finals began with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Faith SS in the quarterfinals.
The semifinal match against Lira Town College saw them emerge victorious after a nail-biting penalty shootout, winning 4-2 after a tense draw.
The electrifying atmosphere at UTC Lira, where thousands of passionate fans gathered, underscored the significance of this match.
Dr. Obote College, the tournament co-hosts, also secured their place in the finals with a narrow 1-0 victory over King James Comprehensive Secondary School in their semifinal.
This victory sets the stage for a compelling final against Mentor SS, as both teams vie for the coveted championship title.
Meanwhile, in the girls’ category, St. Mary’s Magdalene Girls Secondary School showcased their dominance with a resounding 6-0 victory over St. Katherine Girls Secondary School, securing their spot in the finals.
They will face Top Star Secondary School, who triumphed over King James Comprehensive Secondary School with a 2-1 victory.
The USSSA Football Tournament, which commenced on March 14, 2025, at Erute and Anai Primary Schools, featured over 18 schools competing for five coveted slots in the upcoming Lango Zonal USSSA tournament.
The zonal tournament, scheduled for April 7-10, 2025, will be hosted by St. Mary’s Magdalene and Dr. Obote College.
The following schools have qualified for the Lango Zonal USSSA tournament:
Boys’ Category:
* Mentor SS (Defending Champions)
* Comboni College
* King James Comprehensive Secondary School
* Light Vocational Secondary School
* Dr. Obote College (Host)
Girls’ Category:
* Acaba SS (Defending Champions)
* St. Katherine Girls Secondary School
* King James Comprehensive Secondary School
* Top Star Secondary School
* St. Mary’s Magdalene Girls Secondary School
