2017 Copa National schools football championship:
1st quarter final:
Kibuli S.S 1 (3) – 1 (1) Masaka S.S
Defending champions of the National Copa Football championship, Kibuli S.S became the first school to book a semifinal place at the 2017 edition.
This followed an ill-tempered quarter final clash played on a soggy and water logged Masaka Recreational stadium turf after a morning down pour.
Normal time of the match ended one goal apiece with Kibuli winning the tense but interesting post match penalties 3-1.
It was a well attended game that will live lasting impressions and talking points for the rest of the tournament that is marking 25 years.
Kibuli S.S took the lead in the 9th minute courtesy of Adam Musisi’s strike.
On the quarter hour mark, referee Ashraf Miiro awarded the home team a penalty following a handball when exciting striker Badru ‘Jibril’ Nsiimbe cunningly lifted the ball onto the ‘hands’ of defender Herbert Achaya.
At this moment, highly charged Kibuli players and some officials attacked the referee but the scuffle was settled with the help of security officials and match stewards.
Jacob Okuwa expertly converted the resultant penalty kick.
No sooner had Okawo converted the penalty, than Kibuli S.S players attacked the referee again with some of them seen kicking and boxing Miiro, the referee.
Armed security personnel rushed onto the field of play that had this time round turned into a battle field.
A bullet was fired in the air to disperse and calm down the tension before play was resumed.
Miiro red carded Fred Tabu for the assault and Adam Musisi as the defending champions were reduced to 9 men.
The situation meant that Kibuli were to play the remaining 70 or so minutes with 9 men.
The host school failed to utilize the numerical advantage and the tense moment of penalties was called.
Achaya missed Kibuli’s first penalty as Frank ‘Walcott’ Yiga converted for Masaka S.S.
Julius Poloto, also one Kibuli’s players licenced with Uganda Premier League champions, KCCA (the other is Allan Okello) made it one –all and Kibuli did not look back.
Okawo, Ronald Sempala and Muhammed Ochegere all missed for Masaka as Anthony Muhwezi and former Uganda U-17 star midfielder Joel Jangeyambe were on target for the cup holders.
Excited Kibuli S.S players jubilated wildly, joined by a section of fans in the full packed stands.
Kibuli S.S thus became the first school to progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.