The footballing cauldron of Ngora is heating up as the 2025 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Boys’ Championship rolls into its semifinal stage, with a blockbuster clash between perennial giants Buddo SS and a resolute Bukedea Comprehensive School headlining the drama.
The draw rekindles a fierce rivalry that ignited in last year’s round of 32, where Buddo edged Bukedea 1-0 in a tightly contested affair.
However, the aftermath proved just as fiery, Bukedea successfully lodged a protest over the eligibility of Buddo’s Gava Peter, alleging he was overage.
The result was a dramatic twist that saw Bukedea re-enter the competition at the round of 16.
In a bizarre turn of fate, Buddo also filed a counter-petition, accusing Bukedea of fielding James Kaye, whose registration was later discovered to be fraudulent.
Kaye had reportedly transferred from Buddo using forged documents. The appeals committee ruled in Buddo’s favor, stoking the flames of a budding rivalry between the two heavyweight institutions.
Now, with both sides having navigated tricky quarterfinal waters, the rematch is set under the Ngora skies.
Buddo SS punched their semifinal ticket with a narrow 1-0 win over Uganda Martyrs High School, Rubaga, while Bukedea Comp held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 full-time draw with Kyadondo SS, triumphing 9-8 from the spot.
The semifinal line-up is complete with St. Mary’s Kitende, the record champions, making a powerful statement by brushing aside Kibuli SS with a clinical 3-0 win.
They now face Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA), who edged Mentor SS 1-0 in a cagey quarterfinal duel.
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