Individual brilliance stands out in Copa
May 09, 2011
THE zonal format in the schools COPA Coca-Cola Cup took a number of top teams off balance in the event that was finally won by St. Mary’s SS Kitende in Arua on Saturday.
By Samson Opus
THE zonal format in the schools COPA Coca-Cola Cup took a number of top teams off balance in the event that was finally won by St. Mary’s SS Kitende in Arua on Saturday.
Rock High School of Tororo, Mpigi’s Bulo Parents SS, Sentah College, Nakaseke International, Dr. Obote College of Lira were among the underdogs that proved invincible against traditional giants in the in the COPA Coca-Cola Cup qualifying rounds.
Tororo champions Rock High proved a better attacking team by edging Lugazi Homeland College 2-0 in the second round before bowing out in the quarterfinals.
Previously, district champions converged to play the finals of the annual national post primary schools soccer championship.
But the organising committee changed the qualifying format by dividing the country into 20 zones. The top three in each zone made the finals.
According to organising committee boss Raphael Bwire, the new format is meant to improve the level of competition. He said the few goal avalanches in the Arua meet were testimony.
Under the new format upcountry teams like Bulo Parents marched all the way to the semi-finals before bowing to Standard High.
And for the first time in the history of the 17-year old tournament, defending champions Bishop Nankyama of Luwero were shown the exit in the qualifying round.
Four-time champions Kitende returned to the victory podium after edging Standard High 1-0 in an all Wakiso final.
The victory ends two years of waiting for Kitende who last won the event again in Arua in 2008.
To coach Mike Mutebi, however, it was the individual brilliance that stood out most in the 48 teams that took part.
“The problem is that teams were on pressure to win at all costs. This is not good. Players should be taught basics to enjoy the game,†counselled the former Uganda Cranes coach.
Julius Kityo of Masaka SS was voted as MVP, edging out Kibuli’s Rahman Kigongo.
THE zonal format in the schools COPA Coca-Cola Cup took a number of top teams off balance in the event that was finally won by St. Mary’s SS Kitende in Arua on Saturday.
Rock High School of Tororo, Mpigi’s Bulo Parents SS, Sentah College, Nakaseke International, Dr. Obote College of Lira were among the underdogs that proved invincible against traditional giants in the in the COPA Coca-Cola Cup qualifying rounds.
Tororo champions Rock High proved a better attacking team by edging Lugazi Homeland College 2-0 in the second round before bowing out in the quarterfinals.
Previously, district champions converged to play the finals of the annual national post primary schools soccer championship.
But the organising committee changed the qualifying format by dividing the country into 20 zones. The top three in each zone made the finals.
According to organising committee boss Raphael Bwire, the new format is meant to improve the level of competition. He said the few goal avalanches in the Arua meet were testimony.
Under the new format upcountry teams like Bulo Parents marched all the way to the semi-finals before bowing to Standard High.
And for the first time in the history of the 17-year old tournament, defending champions Bishop Nankyama of Luwero were shown the exit in the qualifying round.
Four-time champions Kitende returned to the victory podium after edging Standard High 1-0 in an all Wakiso final.
The victory ends two years of waiting for Kitende who last won the event again in Arua in 2008.
To coach Mike Mutebi, however, it was the individual brilliance that stood out most in the 48 teams that took part.
“The problem is that teams were on pressure to win at all costs. This is not good. Players should be taught basics to enjoy the game,†counselled the former Uganda Cranes coach.
Julius Kityo of Masaka SS was voted as MVP, edging out Kibuli’s Rahman Kigongo.