2017 Copa Schools Football:
- 6th May – Reporting of schools
- 7th May – Screening and verification of players
- 8th – 20th May – Tournament competition days
At Masaka S.S (Hosting venues – Masaka Recreational Stadium, Hill Road playground, Masaka Technical ground, Gayaza playground, Nyendo – Kasana playground, Masaka Royal University, St Henry’s Kitovu, Arena playground)
Amus College School head coach Nimrod Kintu believes it is time for his charges to win the national title.
The Teso region based school debuted at the nationals during the 2015 edition hosted by Duhaga High School in Hoima and nearly sent shock waves when they out stretched power house St Mary’s Kitende at the Round of 16 stage.
After leading the game for almost 90 minutes, Amus succumbed to pressure and conceded a late equalizer off Muhammed Shaban’s header before losing in the penalty shoot out 5-3.
Then, St Mary’s Kitende went ahead to win the championship after out-muscling Masaka S.S 4-0 in a one sided final.
To Amus College, this was a perfect learning curve as they also qualified for the 2016 edition hosted by Teso College Aloet in Soroti.
In Soroti, Amus College was a complete shadow of themselves having failed to skip the group stage hurdle.
For the third year running, Amus College, still under the guidance of Kintu as head coach have also made the national grade.
Kintu, also an active sports journalist working with Top Television in Kampala now wants the national title.
The ball is now in our court. In fact, we are our own enemies.
All we have to do is win each game in front of us and become champions.
Kintu will bank upon the experience of at least 8 players who played at the Duhaga edition.
After Peter Lusimbula completed his A-level, now the mantle and button has been officially handed over to fast paced striker cum winger Derrick Onyai.
Onyai, who currently turns out for FUFA Big League side Kataka will also pray his teammates in Ivan Eyamu, utility player Peter Okalanga, Daniel ‘Neymar’ Mugwanya, Vincent Outa and David Obua click the right buttons as well as tick correct the assembled boxes.
Coach Kintu acknowledges the level of competition has gone up with many schools assembling their best squads.
This will be a competitive tournament because all the schools have good teams
Hosts Masaka S.S, defending champions Kibuli S.S, St Mary’s Kitende, Blessed Sacrament Kimanya, Buddo S.S, Mukono’s Dynamic S.S are some of the top contenders for the crown.
These will be joined by outsiders Jinja S.S, Kasese Muslim, Sentah College, Caltec, Amus College, Citizen High School (Mbarara), Bulo, Gombe, St Julian and any other surprise package at the tournament.
This will be the third time that the Teso Region and Bukedea district champions will be playing at the national schools tournament.
There are 60 schools from 21 regions across the country represented at the two week’s championship.
Playing venues:
The host school, Masaka S.S has prepared a number of venues that will be used for the tournament according to the games master, Meddie Sserwadda at the school also baptized as Aga Khan.
In an exclusive interview with Kawowo Sports on Wednesday, he confirmed;
All the hosting play grounds are in shape and ready to be used
These include; Masaka Recreational Stadium, Hill Road playground, Masaka Technical ground, Gayaza playground, Nyendo – Kasana playground, Masaka Royal University, St Henry’s Kitovu and the Arena playground.
Kibuli S.S is the reigning champion.
Participating Schools:
Kampala Region:
Kibuli S.S (Defending champion)
Uganda Martyrs High School
Old Kampala Secondary School
Caltec Academy
Kakungulu Memorial School
West Nile Region:
Arua Secondary School
Nyangilia Secondary School
Kijomoro Secondary School
Acholi Region:
Bishop Angelo Negri College
St. Joseph College Layibi
Pajule College
Lango Region:
Aboke High School
Comboni College, Lira
Bright Light College, Lira
Karamoja Region:
Kotido Secondary School
Teso Region:
Amus College School, Bukedea
Kalaki Secondary School
Soroti Municipal Secondary School
Bukedi Region:
Buhobe Secondary School
Kibale Secondary School
St. Peter’s College, Tororo
Busoga Region:
Jinja Secondary School
Bukoyo Secondary School
Agape Secondary School
Jinja Progressive Academy
Bunyoro Region:
Panyadoli Secondary School
Kagadi Academy
Kabalega Secondary School
Tooro Region:
King Solomon Kyatega
Kasese Muslim Secondary School
Kamwenge Secondary and Vocational School
Ankole Region:
Citizen High School
Welden High School
Bushenyi Region:
RyakasingaChe
St. Kaggwa High School
Kigezi Region:
Kigezi High School
Kabale Brainstorm High School
St. Gerald’s Secondary School, Nyakibale
Wakiso Region:
St. Mary’s Kitende
Buddo Secondary School
St. Julian High School
Boston High School, Mpala
Masaka Region:
Masaka Secondary School (Host)
Wagwa High School
Green Hill Secondary School, Kyamulibwa
Blessed Sacrament Secondary School
Mpigi Region:
Bulo Parents Secondary School
St. Francis Secondary School, Busunju
Gombe Secondary School
Luwero Region:
Mulusa Academy
Nakaseke International College
Kiboga Progressive Secondary School
Mukono Region:
Dynamic Secondary School
Namagabi Secondary School
Yale High School
Mbale (Bugisu) Region:
Nkoma Secondary
Mbale Progressive
Sironko Progressive
Sebei Region:
Sebei College