The tension is palpable in Ngora District as the 2025 USSSA Boys’ National Football schools’ championship moves into its crucial round of 16 stage.
Following a thrilling round of 32 concluded on Saturday, May 10th, the tournament has reached a point where any slip-up could mean the end of a team’s title aspirations.
Former champions St Julian High School, who narrowly edged out the host school Ngora High 3-1 in a penalty shootout, are set for a mouthwatering clash against JIPRA.
JIPRA themselves proved their mettle by overcoming tournament favourites Standard High School Zzana in another dramatic penalty shootout, winning 3-2.
This encounter promises to be a highlight of the round, pitting two in-form sides against each other.
Another highly anticipated fixture will see the championship heavyweights, St Mary’s Secondary School Kitende, take on Blessed Sacrament Kimanya.
Kitende, after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bishop Camboni in the previous round, will face a determined Kimanya side.
The Masaka-based team, backed by the El-ecambio academy, booked their place in the round of 16 with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Mityana heavyweights MUMSA.
Elsewhere in the round of 16, Buddo SS will lock horns with Wisdom High School, while Masaka SS is set to battle it out against Kibuli SS for a coveted spot in the quarterfinals.
Kyadondo SS, under the guidance of Hakim Ssenkumba, will face Kicwamba, and Mentor SS will go head-to-head with Jinja Comprehensive.
In what is arguably the biggest upset of the tournament so far, Greenlight Islamic SS, who stunned East African champions Amus College, will face Uganda Martyrs Lubaga.
Greenlight will be looking to continue their giant-killing run, while Uganda Martyrs will aim to stamp their authority on the competition.
The round of 16 matches are scheduled to be played on Sunday, May 11th.
Simultaneously, the schools that were eliminated in the round of 32 will proceed to participate in classification matches to determine their final standings in the championship.
Round of 16 Fixtures:
- St Julian High School Vs Jinja Progressive
- Kyadondo SS Vs Kicwamba
- Mentor SS Vs Jinja Comprehensive
- Kawempe Muslim Vs Bukedea Comprehensive
- St Mary’s Secondary School – Kitende Vs Blessed Sacrament Kimanya
- Buddo SS Vs Wisdom High School
- Masaka SS Vs Kibuli SS
- Uganda Martyrs Lubaga Vs GreenLight Islamic SS
