Jinja SSS failed to qualify directly but were awarded a wild card to the National Post-primary football tournament because of their recent performances.
2017 Copa Coca-Cola champions Jinja SSS would not be playing at this year’s Uganda Secondary School Sports Association football boys’ tournament but thanks to a wildcard, they’ll be in Fort Portal.
The tournament kicks off next week on Tuesday, 9th May, with group games that will last seven days before the knockouts.
The school that won it in 2017 and then reached the final in 2019 has seen a slight drop in form as they undergo a rebuilding process.
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They reached the final of Jinja City qualifiers but lost their title to arch-rivals Jinja Progressive (JiPRA).
JiPRA went on to win the Busoga Regional title again, ousting their city rivals, who failed to progress beyond the semifinal and book a direct berth to the nationals.
“We’re rebuilding a new lot of talented players that need some time to gel,” Hassan Zungu, the school’s head coach, told Pulse Sports.
Target
By virtue of their previous report cards, USSSA deemed it fit to award ‘The Mighty School’ a wild card to take part in the nationals.
Zungu wants this chance to count for something and prove they actually deserved to be on the big stage.
“We’re organizing and preparing to see that we perform well, starting with winning and topping our group,” he added.
Jinja SSS was pooled in Group D alongside two-time winners Old Kampala, Nakwasi Seed and St Kagwa High School from Bushenyi.
The others are Northern Uganda giant St Joseph’s College Layibi, Standard High Zana, St. Kalemba SS, and Bukedea Comprehensive School.
Full Groups
Group A: St Mary’s Kitende, Tororo Town College, Bishop Comboni, Jinja Comprehensive, Latifa Mixed, Teso Progressive, St Henry’s College Kitovu, Nakaseke International
Group B: Nyakasura School, London College Nansana, Sironko Progressive School, Ryakasinga CHE, Alwa Secondary School, Nengri College – Gulu, Mengo S.S, Aki Bua School
Group C: Kawempe Muslim, Nabumali High School, St Denis Kijjaguzo, Westville High School – Fortportal, Mpigi Mixed, Dokolo Progressive, St Bernard’s Maanya, Welden High School – Mbarara
Group D: Jinja S.S, Nakwasi Seed, St Kagwa High School, Standard High School – Zzana, Old Kampala S.S, St Kalemba, St Joseph’s College – Layibi, Bukedea Comprehensive
Group E: Buddo S.S, Mbale Progressive, Mityana S.S, Alere S.S, Fort Portal S.S, Victoria High School, Blessed Sacrament Kimanya, Amus College Bukedea
Group F: Mukono Kings, Patongo Seed, St Geralds, Kigumba Royal College, St Mary’s Simbya, St James Dzaipi, Lakeside Masese, Kawempe Royal College
Group G: Jinja Progressive, St Julian High School – Gayaza, Nkoma S.S, Africa With Love, Arua S.S, Wisdom High School, Uganda Martyrs High School – Lubaga, Panyandoli Secondary School
Group H: Kibuli S.S, Kihanga S.S, Kabalega S.S, Lotuke Seed, Tororo Progressive Academy, Nganwa High School, Mulusa Academy – Wobulenzi, Roya Giant High School – Mityana