In an exhilarating showdown at the St Kagwa Bushenyi High School playground, football enthusiasts were treated to an unforgettable match in the return leg of the preliminary round of the 2nd Edition of the FUFA TV Cup. The encounter between St Kagwa Bushenyi High School and Nganwa High School Kabwohe ended in a dramatic 4-4 draw, with Nganwa High School progressing to the round of 64 on the away goals rule.
The atmosphere was electric as the match kicked off, with both teams displaying determination and skill. St Kagwa Bushenyi High School, playing on their home ground, started strong. In the 3rd minute, Innocent Atwine turned a strong cross from the right side of the field into a shot that went past the goalkeeper, igniting the crowd’s cheers and setting the tone for a high-scoring affair.
Nganwa High School quickly responded. In the 6th minute, Brian Barekye unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the penalty area, equalizing the score and silencing the home fans. The momentum shifted as Nganwa continued to press forward. Ibrahim Mugisha showcased his skill in the 14th minute, scoring a beauty that put Nganwa in the lead. Their captain and free-kick specialist, Faruku Karemera, then converted a free-kick from the far right of the field, replicating his first-leg success and extending Nganwa’s lead to 3-1.
St Kagwa, however, was not ready to give up. In the 26th minute, Ali Isma pulled one back for the hosts with a well-placed shot, making it 2-3 as they headed into halftime, with Nganwa holding a slender lead.
The second half began with a bang as Nganwa’s Kennedy Bonde struck in the first minute, making it 2-4 and putting the visitors in a commanding position. St Kagwa needed a quick response, and they found it in the 52nd minute when Didas Agasha scored, narrowing the gap to 3-4. The home team continued to push, and in the 69th minute, Yonah Nasasira leveled the score, much to the delight of the home supporters.
As the final whistle blew, the realization dawned on the St Kagwa players and fans that despite their valiant efforts, Nganwa High School would advance to the next round. The away goals rule, often a source of heartbreak in football, proved to be the difference on this occasion.
Coach Collins Agaba of St Kagwa Bushenyi High School: “We played our hearts out today, and I couldn’t be prouder of my boys. Scoring four goals in such a high-stakes match shows our attacking prowess. However, we conceded some soft goals which ultimately cost us. It’s a tough way to go out, but we’ll learn from this experience and come back stronger. Credit to Nganwa for their resilience and for pushing us to the limit. I promise a better contest in the coming edition.”
Coach Yusuf Mutebi of Nganwa High School Kabwohe: “What a match! I have to commend my players for their fighting spirit. Coming here and scoring four goals against a strong team like St Kagwa is no small feat. We knew the away goals rule could work in our favor, and the boys delivered when it mattered most. This result gives us great confidence going into the round of 64. We have a lot to work on, but today’s performance shows we have the potential to go far in this tournament. We are ready to put up a fierce competition against Muntuyera High School, who will be our opening fixture in the round of 64 next weekend.”
In the Western Chapter are other formidable schools like Mbarara SS, Mbarara High School, Kigezi High School, Makobore High School, Kigezi College Butobere and Mutolere High School
The thrilling 4-4 draw will be remembered as one of the most exciting matches of the preliminary round, showcasing the passion and talent of school-level football in Uganda.
Round of 64 will be played on home and away basis starting on Saturday 29th June 2024 across all the 12 chapters.
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