The 2019 Fresh Diary Secondary School Games will officially get underway on Sunday at Mbale SS in Eastern Uganda with a lot of anticipation from the different schools that will take part.
With a few changes in this year’s championship that included reducing the number of schools from 60 to 32, the competition is expected to be tight.
Kawowo Sports’ Joel Muyita gives you an insight about schools that are strong favourites to win this year’s title in girls football.
Kawempe Muslim SS
Kawempe Muslim SS are the record champions winning the tournament eight times but have not tasted success in the last years. The target therefore ahead of the 2019 edition is to reclaim their glory.
Under the guidance of Ayub Khalifa, Kawempe Muslim by far have a balanced team on paper than any school with the majority of these players featuring in the FUFA Women Elite League.
Goalkeeper Juliet Adeke and striker Juliet Nalukenge already command calls on the national team (Crested Cranes). A solid centre back pairing of Rehema Adubango and skipper Mariam Nakabugo have conceded just two goals in the league and will be one of the key departments for Kawempe in Mbale with Florence Nalumansi and Rehema Nakabuye calling shots in the full-back positions.
Kawempe also boasts of a strong midfield comprised of players like Asia Nakibuuka, Stella Musubika, Anita Namata, Samalie Nakachwa and Brenda Nakayenga among others.
With Nalukenge leading the line, the lethal forward has the ability to score against any team and her presence will be key as Kawempe seek to win the title this year.
Mukono High School
Reached the final last year but lost to Gaddafi Integrated Academy in Fort Portal and the target in Mbale this year will be to win the championship.
The 2017 winners lost a couple of players who featured last year including Shamira Nalujja, Teddy Najjuma, Pamela Namyalo, Moreen Afoyo among others.
The biggest task for Mukono High School will be how they have filled the voids left by the aforementioned players. However, the acquisition of coach Isma Mukiibi who guided Gaddafi Integrated Academy to success last year could be a good addition. The youthful coach who also works with Isra Soccer Academy will be optimistic of pulling off another masterstroke like he did last year.
The star player for Mukono High School is forward Fauziah Najjemba who is also the captain of the team. The other key players on the team include; Swabrah Nkooba, Moreen Nangozi, Elizabeth Nakigozi and Peninnah Akuku.
St. Noa, Zzana
Reached the semifinals last year but the ultimate target for St. Noa is to go all the way to winning the tournament. Under the tutorship of Julius Ssengendo will, however, need extra efforts to overcome Kawempe Muslim and Mukono High School who seem to have better squads.
They will hugely rely on captain Aisha Nantongo who scored 16 goals in the qualifiers.
Gaddafi Integrated Academy
They come to Mbale as defending champions after defying odds to win the title for the first time in Fort Portal last year.
The biggest task for Gaddafi will be to reclaim the championship which in reality seems a mountain challenge.
The Kawempe based school lost arguably their best product Zaina Namuleme who sat for her Senior six examinations last year.
Coach Isma Mukiibi who guided them to success crossed to Mukono High School.
The key player for Gaddafi is defender Aisha Namukisa who also plays for the Crested Cranes. The core of the team that won in Fort Portal is still available with players like Sophia Nakiyingi and Brenda Kwaka part of their squad.
Uganda Martyrs High School
They return after serving a one year ban for using ineligible players during the 2017 East Africa Secondary Schools championship.
Under coach Rogers Nkugwa, Uganda Martyrs have a youthful squad with several new faces on the team. Defender Gloria Namugerwa who is also the captain of the team is the most experienced player in their squad.
However, the main challenge for Uganda Martyrs is lack of good strikers.
The 2019 Secondary Schools championship will run between 4th -10th May at Mbale SS.
2019 National Secondary School Games (Girls Football Groups)
Group A
- Gaddafi Integrated Academy
- Uganda Martyrs High School, Lubaga
- Masaka SS
- Amugu SS, Lira
Group B
- Dynamic SS
- Sacred Heart SS, Gulu
- St. Peter’s High School, Bunyoro
- Kahindu SS
Group C
- Bishop SS Mukono
- Katuuso Community College
- St. Jude Vocational
- Kaserem SS, Sebei
Group D
- St. Noa Zzana
- Restore Academy
- Biyaya SS, Adjuman
- Kajole Girls
Group E
- Kawempe Muslim SS
- Rines SS, Wakiso
- St. Catherine, Kiruhura
- Echoes High School
Group F
- Olila High School
- Pride College, Mpigi
- Five Star, Mbarara
- Kyamakanda SS
Group G
- King of Kings, Fort Portal
- Taggy High School
- Bugisu High School
- St. Paul SS
Group H
- Mukono High School
- New Horizon, Mukono
- Panyandoli SS
- Buhobe SS, Bukedi
