Ten-man Buddo SSS won their first ever Wakiso district Copa Coca-Cola secondary schools football qualifiers title after a 1(5)-(4)1 win over rivals St Mary’s SSS, Kitende in the final played on Sunday at Kabaka Kyabaggu sports stadium at Wakisha resource center. Pre-favourites Kitende took the lead as early as the 4thminute when Richard Basangwa headed home Steven Serwadda’s cross after a short corner by skipper Robert Kitabalwa.
Kitende had early dominance before a downpour that lasted for about 20 minutes. Buddo found the equaliser through Joseph Bukenya after being gifted by suspect Kitende goal keeper Aaron Magolofa in the 14th minute. The striker picked a loose ball that slipped off Magolofa’s wet gloves to tap home and send the majority crowd into jubilation.
Buddo were left 10 men in the second half after Joseph Kafumbe’s straight red card for dangerous play, but held on to win in penalties.
In the stoppage time, both coaches made their last substitutes –Buddo bringing on goal keeper Anthony Situma for Alistote Muhindo whilst Kitende brought on Sula Mpanga. The two late substitutions are the reason for the final score.
Situma saved Mpanga’s kick for Buddo to claim win 5-4 in penalties after 70 minutes of play could not separate the two sides. It was rather a perfect revenge for Buddo, who lost to Kitende in last year’s final. “I am very excited. It is my second year at Buddo and I already have three titles. This is the trophy my boss was yearning for and I am happy we have taken it after humbling our rivals. We have been practicing penalties daily and we knew the keeper we brought on when it comes to penalties. Each of our goal keepers had faced over 400 balls from the spot and each player had practiced penalties more than 60 times,” noted Buddo SSS coach Simon Mugerwa, also SC Villa assistant coach. For Buddo SSS headmaster Lawrence Muwonge, there is nothing that could better bring out his joyfulness better than leading the team in jubilation dances. “I am very excited. I want to thank our players and coaches. It is the title we had failed to win and I will reward the boys. The focus now shifts to the national finals,” noted Muwonge, who alongside Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa, the Kitende director, were part of the crowd that endured rain to cheer their respective teams. Kitende coach Edward believes that his team was unlucky and vowed to avenge during the national finals. “We can only get better. The players did not play to our expectations and instructions, but I congratulate Buddo. Focus now shifts to reclaiming the national title,” he said.
Buddo are both the national Copa Coca-Cola and East African reigning champions. Apart from the two finalists, the other schools that will represent Wakiso in the national Copa Coca-Cola finals in Jinja are Standard High-Zana, St Juliana –Gayaza, Kawempe Royal and Boston High-Entebbe.
