SMACK carry favorites tag to semis as Gayaza is stunned

St Mary’s College, Kisubi (SMACK) headed into the quarter finals of the Boys hockey with the favorites tag after 3 wins in their three group stage games. SMACK beat St Charles Lwanga 7-0 on Wednesday in the last group game and had earlier beaten Sseeta High (Green Campus) before coming from two goals down to beat defending champions Kakungulu memorial 4-3 in the first and second game respectively. They also bagged a 2-1 win over Namilyango in the last group fixture to progress as group leaders. Jonathan Mukiibi is the man leading the scorers and he netted 12 goals in four group stage games (six against Sseeta, two against Kakungulu Memorial that bowed out at group stage and one against Namilyango in last Wednesday game). SMACK is coached By Vincent Kasasa, the premier league side Weatherhead coach and also the national Men team, were joined by Namilyango, Kawempe Muslim and Ntare High at the hockey Boys semi finals due Thursday. In the Girls category, St Mary’s school, Mbarara stunned Gayaza High with a 1-0 defeat. Ronah Kengonzi scored the only goal that sent the Western region school to the quarter finals. According to St Mary’s Coach Lawrence Kakande, most of his players are from Kampala-based academy Hope for sports Uganda. “We are trying to build the game I the Western region and I am happy with the progress,” noted Kakande, who is also the head coach to Rockets that is leading the Women premier league standings. Kakande has previously coached Old Kampala and Kakungulu memorial and believes his experience will be key for his team’s success in Mbale this year. In basketball Boys meanwhile, Crane high, St Cyprian, Light academy, Ndejje SS, Seroma Christian and Mbogo high all stormed quarter finals earlier in the day while in Girls, Exodus High, Ndejje SS, St Noa, Nabisunsa Girls, Buddo SS, St Mary’s-Kitende, Crane High and Mary Hill also made the cut to quarters. The Fresh Dairy-sponsored games continue till Saturday at Mbale SS that co-hosted with Nkoma SS.