The 2024 FUFA TV Cup has been a thrilling showcase of school football, with unexpected turns and moments of brilliance. Nabumali High School and Nganwa High School, have fought their way into the semi-finals, each carving a unique path through determination and strategic play.
Nabumali High School’s Impressive Journey
Nabumali High School kicked off their campaign facing off against Mengo Senior School in a highly anticipated opening match on Monday 26th August 2024. The game started at 12:30 pm with a palpable sense of excitement as both teams sought to establish dominance. Nabumali took an early lead through Emma Watiti, who scored a well-timed goal in the added minutes of the first half. His strike gave Nabumali a crucial advantage going into the break.
Mengo Senior School, determined not to go down without a fight, equalized just five minutes into the second half when John Sekabira took advantage of a defensive error. Shakiri Wandera restored Nabumali’s lead with a decisive finish, securing a 2-1 victory. It was a thrilling contest marked by end-to-end action and showcased Nabumali’s offensive prowess and resilience.
Building on the momentum from their first match, Nabumali faced Nganwa High School in their second encounter on Wednesday 28th August 2024. Nabumali High School struck early with Wandera once again finding the net in the 10th minute. Nganwa, though relentless in their pursuit of an equalizer, could not break through Nabumali’s rock-solid defense. Nabumali’s 1-0 win not only secured three crucial points.
Today, the team drew against Mpanga SSS, cemented their place at the top of Group A, boasting seven points from three games and booking their spot in the semi-finals.
Nganwa High School’s Gritty Path to the Semi-Finals
Nganwa High School’s journey was characterized by tactical resilience and defensive strength. Their first game was a tense battle against Mpanga SSS that ended in a goalless draw. Despite the absence of goals, the match was far from lackluster. Mpanga dominated the first half, creating numerous scoring opportunities and rattling the woodwork multiple times. However, Nganwa’s defense held firm, absorbing the pressure and weathering Mpanga’s relentless attacks.
The second half saw Nganwa High School make crucial tactical changes, increasing their attacking threat. Substitutions injected fresh energy into the team, and Nganwa began to put Mpanga under significant pressure. Despite their efforts, both sides could not break the deadlock, resulting in a point apiece.
With one point from their opening match, Nganwa knew they needed a strong performance against Nabumali and Mengo Senior School to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Although they fell 1-0 to Nabumali in a tightly contested match, they won against Mengo Senior School 5-0 and Nganwa High School qualified for the semi-finals as one of the best-placed runners-up, proving that resilience and strategic planning could propel them forward.
