St Lawrence University stormed into the semifinals of the University Football League after a commanding 3–0 victory over Ndejje University in the return leg, sealing progression with a 5–1 aggregate scoreline.
Julius Kalanda was the star of the night, striking twice—once on the stroke of halftime and again just a minute into the second half—to put St Lawrence firmly in control. Ambrose Alele added the third in the 54th minute, extinguishing any hopes of a Ndejje comeback.
Captain Ronnie Ziraba underlined the team’s ambition: “Our target is to win the trophy this time around because we want to put up our history as a team.”
Assistant coach Fred Bakisula, fondly nicknamed “Pep,” credited discipline and humility for the team’s success: “We have reached the semifinals because of motivating young boys and not letting them take themselves as stars. This time around, the focus is to reach the final, then after that we will think of what next.”
Despite the defeat, Ndejje coach Kongo Bonfinnace praised his players’ effort: “I thank my boys because they played under instruction, but St Lawrence utilized their chances and beat us. We are going back to set ourselves—we will come back stronger next season.”
This marks the fourth consecutive season that St Lawrence has reached the semifinals. They now join Kampala University and Muteesa I Royal University in the last four. Action continues tomorrow as YMCA host Kumi University in Buwambo, with the tie finely balanced after a 1–1 draw in the first leg.
