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Kimaanya missed national school finals as four key players joined Uganda’s U17 World Cup squad, trading local glory for history
Sometimes, success on the grandest of stages casts a shadow on local dreams.
Such is the poignant story of Blessed Sacrament Kimaanya, a school whose contribution to Uganda's historic qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar has ignited national pride, yet led to heartbreak closer to home.
Kimaanya, nestled in the heart of Masaka, was just a year ago basking in the limelight after storming into the quarter-finals of the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) boys’ football tournament.
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14:09 - 14.04.2025
James Bogere Dreams Big After Inspiring Uganda Cubs to Maiden U17 World Cup
James Bogere’s heroic brace inspired Uganda U-17 to a comeback win over Gambia, fueling their World Cup dream and putting East African talent on the global radar.
But this year, their ambitions have stumbled. In the unforgiving Lyantonde-Masaka zonal qualifiers, the school fell short, failing to book a spot at the national finals in Ngora.
The reason? Four of their star players were absent—serving a bigger dream in the Uganda U17 national team that competed at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
While the country celebrated the Cubs' heroics and qualification to their first-ever U17 World Cup, Kimaanya paid the price for its crucial contribution.
"11 schools contributed players, including Kimaanya, St Mary's Kitende, Quality HS, Bukedea Comprehensive, Kyaddondo SS Matugga, Fort Portal SS, Kibuli, Jinja Comprehensive, Namilyango College and likely Jinja Progressive Academy," reported Daily Monitor.
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20:25 - 13.04.2025
Why Arsenal and Manchester United Are are the Biggest Causes of Fan Volatility in Uganda
Uganda recorded four EPL-related deaths in 2023 alone. Among them: two Arsenal fans killed by United supporters, one death following United’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool, and another after Arsenal’s defeat at the hands of their old rivals.
Among these, St Mary's Kitende and Blessed Sacrament Kimaanya were standout contributors, each supplying four key players to the national squad.
Yet, while Kitende managed to navigate the zonal qualifiers, Kimaanya's campaign faltered in the absence of its footballing spine.
The missing quartet—James Bogere, Hamuza Sengooba, Elvis Torach, and Isima Magala—was not just any group of players. They were the very engine of Kimaanya’s dream team.
Bogere, the lethal forward who emerged as CECAFA’s top scorer, and Sengooba, the calm and commanding captain in defense, were central to Uganda’s historic run in Morocco.
Magala, the midfield maestro crowned MVP in last year’s Masaka tournament, and Torach, the rock in the backline, were equally irreplaceable.
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17:52 - 13.04.2025
Inside Jacob Kiplimo's Fierce Preparation for London Marathon Showdown with Eliud Kipchoge
Jacob Kiplimo is intensely preparing for his London Marathon debut, ready to take on giants like Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele.
Their absence left a gaping hole, one too large to fill with any tactical shuffle or spirited replacement. Masaka SS, Norte Dame HS, and Wagwa emerged victorious in zonals securing their tickets to Ngora.
Kimaanya, stripped of its key talents, was left watching from the sidelines—applauding their boys on TV screens, while the pitch they once dominated went silent.
Ironically, the success of these players on the continental stage underscored just how much potential the school harbored.
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