Kibingo Girls end 11-year wait, defeat Sheema Girls to claim USSSA title
The Kabwohe-based side reclaimed the title they last won in 2014, having watched Sheema Girls dominate the podium with eight consecutive victories over the years.
Kibingo Girls celebrate with the trophy. PHOTOS: Aloysius Byamukama
Aloysius Byamukama
Journalist @New Vision
USSSA Sheema district girls football results
Semis
Kibingo 2 Kitagata 0
Sheema Girls 1 Savannah 0
Finals
Kibingo 0 (4) Sheema Girls 0 (3)
Kibingo Girls School football team ended an 11-year wait to claim the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Sheema district title, defeating perennial champions Sheema Girls 4-3 on penalties in a thrilling final at Kabwohe Stadium on Saturday.
The Kabwohe-based side reclaimed the title they last won in 2014, having watched Sheema Girls dominate the podium with eight consecutive victories over the years. The match, played in front of a fully packed crowd at Kabwohe Stadium, ended 0-0 in normal time, with Kibingo holding their nerve during the penalty shootout to secure the historic win.
A Kibingo Girls player (blue) in control of the ball against a Sheema Girls opponent
Elizabeth Akankwatsa, Patience Kasingyemaria, Precious Atuhaire, and Agatha Akankwatsa all converted their spot kicks, while Rinah Orishaba was the only Kibingo player to miss. Sheema Girls, however, failed to convert two of their penalties, sparking wild celebrations among Kibingo’s teachers, parents, and students.
“We are grateful to the Almighty for guiding us to this historic achievement. This victory is a reward for our efforts in nurturing the holistic development of the girl child. We train our own students and do not recruit talent from elsewhere. We are overjoyed and now look forward to qualifying for the national competitions,” said a delighted Flavia Asaasira, the school’s head teacher.
Kibingo Girls team
Meanwhile, the boys’ competition did not conclude as scheduled due to pending petitions. The competitions committee chairman announced that the finals would be completed on Wednesday.
With their victory, Kibingo will lead five other teams—Sheema Girls, Savanah, Ntale High School, Kitagata, and Sacred Heart Mushanga—to represent Sheema district at the USSSA Ankole zonal championships, set to take place next month in Bushenyi.