Kiira College Butiki took the first-leg advantage when they defeated Mengo Senior School 5-3 in the first semi-final match on Thursday, June 22nd, 2023, in an entertaining and epic encounter.
In the match, the home side forward Gift Fred Mutalya scored four goals to take his tally to five, now the tournament’s leading scorer.
After the match, the confident and promising S4 student attributed his superb display to self-belief and guidance from coaches and teammates.
“I feel good scoring four goals and I must say it was all about self-belief. My coaches always tell me I can make it through football as well as my teammates keep pushing me when playing. I thank God for this achievement and my parents who always encourage me to play football.”
The 8-goal thriller saw the Akwanas take an early lead through Joel Ssemaganda Saava in the first minute of the match.
Gift Fred Mutalya levelled matters in the 12th minute for the home side before putting his side in the lead in the 25th minute.
With five minutes to the end of halftime, Saava got his brace as he levelled matters.
Seven minutes into the second half, Ezekiel Kigaye scored the third goal for Kiira College Butiki before John Senfuma levelled again for the visitors in what was his fourth goal of the tournament.
Mutalya then put his side in the driving seat yet again in the 59th minute to complete his hat trick and the first of the tournament before sealing his quartet in the 63rd minute.
The defeat was Mengo Senior School’s first in the tournament and they will now hope to overturn the result when they meet again in the return leg in Mengo to determine who qualifies for the inaugural final.
The other first-leg semi-final will see St Mary’s College Kisubi host Jinja College this evening.
