St Noa Hold Their Nerve to Defend USSSA Elite Games Crown

By Kayiira Jackson 
Reigning national and FEASSA champions St. Noa Girls Secondary School-Zana once again proved their growth in schools’ girls’ football, successfully defending the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Elite Games title after edging fierce rivals Kawempe Muslim Secondary School 5–4 in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout.
The four-day spectacle, hosted at Janan Secondary School in Bombo from February 26 to March 1, built up to a pulsating finale played before a packed and passionate crowd.
Locked at 0–0 after regulation time in a tense tactical battle, the contest had to be decided from the spot. That was where St Noa’s composure shone brightest. The shootout swung decisively when Belindah Nabawanuka failed to convert Kawempe’s crucial penalty, handing the advantage to the holders.
Kawempe had earlier found the net through Agnes Nabukenya, Vanessa Namazzi, Tracy Nabalanzi and Dorcus Kisakye, but it ultimately proved insufficient.
St Noa, by contrast, were clinical. Angel Dominic, Martha Babirye, Patricia Nayiga, Rebecca Nyakake and Evelyn Katusiime all stepped up and converted with unerring accuracy to secure back-to-back Elite Games crowns — and a third overall in the competition’s history.
The triumph further cements St Noa’s dominance on the schools’ football landscape, adding another trophy to their expanding cabinet as reigning national and FEASSA champions.
Their journey to the final had already sent a statement. In the semi-finals, they brushed aside Sheema Girls 2–0 in a composed display, with Marion Serenge and Evelyne Katusiime finding the back of the net.
Kawempe Muslim’s route to the decider was equally emphatic. They dismantled Uganda Martyrs in the last four, inspired by a four-goal haul from the prolific Agnes Nabukenya, while Cynthia Kirenga added her name to the scoresheet.
Despite the heartbreak in the final, Nabukenya’s extraordinary form earned her the golden boot with an impressive 11 goals — a remarkable individual feat in an otherwise bittersweet campaign.

Individual accolades, however, tilted towards the champions. Patricia Nayiga was voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while Lillian Nakirya’s commanding presence between the posts earned her the best goalkeeper award while Agnes Nabukenya takes the top scorer’s accolade (netted 11 goals in 11 matches).

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