Overview:
Egos and scores were settled as two sworn rivals Jinja S.S and Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA) faced off during the football finale of the Jinja city at Kakindu stadium on Monday, April 3, 2023.
2023 USSSA football qualifiers (Jinja District):
Final:
- Jinja Secondary School 1 (2) – 1 (4) Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA)
The egos and scores were settled as two sworn rivals Jinja S.S and Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA) faced off during the football finale of the Jinja city at Kakindu stadium on Monday, April 3, 2023.
JIPRA lifted the trophy followed a 4-2 post-match penalty victory over their rivals before hundreds of fans.
Normal time of this contest ended in a one-all draw.
James Jarieko gave JIPRA the early lead with a brilliant header off a brilliant cross from the left by speedster Richard Okello.
Defender Reagan Isabirye headed home on the hour mark to bring the game level as the crowds cheered aloud.
Moments after the equalizer, Jarieko volleyed an acrobatic kick onto the cross bar.
In the second stanza, there were no clear-cut opportunities.
Perhaps, JIPRA who are coached by Mike Ssebagala came close but had a penalty appeal turned down after Sulaiman Kato whistled down Okello but referee John Bosco Tumuhaise was less interested.
During the tense post-match penalty shoot-out, JIPRA goalkeeper Adrian Isabirye was the hero with two penalty saves they won 4-2.
Isabirye dived to his right to save Icon Jordon and Churchhill Ochan’s shots.
Only John Owino and Alvin Wanume scored for Hassan Zzungu’s Jinja S.S.
JIPRA was clinical in the shoot-out. Lookman Lwanga, Sowedi Lwenda, Sudice Ngobi and skipper Jarieko scored past goalkeeper Azizi Saleh.
Only Yasin Masembe had razed his shot off the cross bar.
There were ugly scenes moments after the Jarieko’s winning penalty for JIPRA as the crowd got rowdy.
Police was called in to arrest the situation by firing tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
After sanity, Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) president Justus Mugisha officially handed over the medals to the two finalists before the glittering trophy to the triumphant Jinja Progressive Academy team.
These two schools are likely to face off at the upcoming Eastern region zonal championships due in Iganga district.
Three schools will qualify for the nationals in Fort Portal city from Eastern region.
