By John Baptist Opua
Dr. Obote College were eliminated from the USSSA Lango Zone Football Championship on Thursday after falling to Alemere Comprehensive Secondary School in a dramatic penalty shootout at DOC Playground.
The host side, cheered on by a large crowd that included their students and those from Lira Town College, took the lead in the 31st minute through Onyong Ceaser.
The early advantage sent the home fans into celebration, but Alemere hit back after the break, with Okeng Emmanuel equalising to level the score at 1-1 by full-time.
With the game undecided after regulation time, the contest moved to penalties, where Alemere held their nerve to win 7-6 and advance to the semifinals.
Earlier in the day, Wisdom High School delivered a commanding performance to defeat Maruzi Seed Secondary School of Apac. Shadrack Ageta was the standout performer, netting a goal in each half to book Wisdom’s spot in the last four.
Lira Town College also progressed after edging Chegere Secondary School 2-1. Despite an early strike from Chegere’s Ocean Ceaser, Lira Town responded with goals from Ebong Tonny and Ocen Julie to seal the win.
Defending champions Mentor SS continued their title defense with a solid 2-0 victory over Abongomola Seed Secondary School. Junior Ebal and Desmond Daudi Ogwok were on target, helping Mentor remain on course for back-to-back titles.
The semifinal fixtures, scheduled for 4 PM this evening, will see Wisdom High School take on Lira Town College, while Mentor SS face Alemere Comprehensive Secondary School.
The winners will proceed to the finals set for tomorrow at Ambalal Primary School, with a third-place playoff also lined up to determine the final qualification slot for the national championship.
In the girls’ competition, St. Mary Magdalene stormed into the semifinals with a commanding 11-0 victory over St. Katherine Girls. In other quarterfinal results, Ogur SS edged Aculbanya SS 1-0, while defending champions Acaba SS beat Atapara SS 2-0. Alemere Comprehensive SS were knocked out following a 2-1 defeat to Adwari SS.
The girls’ semifinals will also be played this evening. St. Mary Magdalene will meet Ogur SS at Ambalal Primary School Playground, while Acaba SS will face Adwari SS at Adyel Primary School Playground.
