Bukedea Comprehensive School won their first Elite Games boys football title after beating Mentor SS 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final on Saturday.
Deus Nuwaha struck with almost the last kick of the game to cancel out Ogwang Gabriel Oyiru’s first half goal and force spot kicks. Goalkeeper Okoli Andrew then made two crucial saves in the shootout to hand Bukedea a historic triumph.
Mentor SS had taken control in the 26th minute when Ogwang found the net to give them a deserved lead. For long spells, Mentor looked organised and composed, relying on their physical presence and disciplined structure to frustrate coach Ssali’s side. Their height advantage troubled Bukedea in the air, and they remained comfortable both off the ball in a mid block and when pressing high up the pitch.
With two minutes left on the clock, Bukedea found their breakthrough. Nuwaha reacted quickest in the box to level the score, sparking wild celebrations from the large section of fans backing Bukedea. The late equaliser swung momentum heading into penalties.
Both sides were playing their first ever Elite Games final, and just like the girls final earlier, penalties were needed to separate them. Okoli emerged the hero, denying two Mentor efforts as Bukedea converted four of their kicks to seal a 4-2 shootout win.
Bukedea’s path to the title had been impressive. They eliminated St. Mary’s Kitende in the quarter finals after a 1-1 draw, before dispatching Fort Portal SS 3-0 in the semi finals thanks to a Yabil brace and a Denis Ssewagudde free kick. Mentor SS reached the final after edging Uganda Martyrs HS Lubaga 1-0 in the semi finals and overcoming Kyadondo SS 5-3 on penalties in the quarter finals after coming from a goal down.
The two finalists had also met in the opening group game, where Mentor fought back from two goals down to earn a point. This time, however, they fell just short.
A late goal and decisive saves defined the contest, as Bukedea Comprehensive closed the Elite Games in dramatic fashion to claim their maiden boys football crown.
