Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Secondary School has advanced to the semifinals of the CAF Africa Schools Football Championship, having topped the group stages of the competition in Zanzibar with 7 points.
Uganda secured two wins against Togo and Gambia, and a draw against South Africa at Amaani Stadium in Zanzibar on Wednesday afternoon, May 22, 2024.
Shadia Nabirye put Uganda ahead in the fourth minute of their first match against South Africa, but South African Rithabile Molefe equalized in the 36th minute.
However, Uganda defeated Togo 2-0 in the campaign’s second match, which increased their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage. Nabirye and Cynthia Kirenga scored for Kawempe Muslim, who eventually won the group with maximum points.
Additionally, in the final group match, Kawempe Muslim defeated Gambia 2-0, securing a spot in the tournament’s final four. Berinda Hope Nabawanuka scored the first goal, and Nabirye secured maximum points for Kawempe Muslim.
Uganda will face Morocco in the semi-finals on Thursday, May 23, 2024, while South Africa will face Tanzania.
Ayub Kiyingi Khalifa, the head coach, expressed his delight that the team had earned the maximum number of points from the two games.
”I am happy that we have progressed to the semifinals. We just need the technical motivation of the girls, mostly, as we head to the knockout stage,” he said.
Nabirye, the team captain, praised her teammates for being clinical in every game and promised to score more goals.
The Champions will receive a cash prize of USD 300,000 (equivalent to UGX 1.140 billion), with runners-up each receiving USD 200,000 (equivalent to UGX 760 billion), and the third-placed team will receive USD 150,000 (equivalent to UGX 570 billion), courtesy of CAF’s partnership with the Motsepe Foundation.
