Debutants Greenlight Islamic set to make waves at USSSA National Boys Football tournament

Greenlight Islamic Secondary School-Nansana is poised to captivate fans at the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Boys football tournament in Ngora, making their debut this year.

Drawn in a challenging Group O alongside Greater Mukono Zone champions Quality High School – Buikwe, St Gerald’s SS, and the historical Kibuli SS, the Nansana-based team promises to be an exciting prospect to watch.

With their distinctive tik-tak style of play and skilled ball handlers, Greenlight Islamic’s opponents can expect an electrifying experience.

Following the draws, head coach Jamadah Magaasi outlined his team’s objectives ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on May 5th, 2025.

“The tournament shapes us as new coaches. With the exposure and different experiences in this tournament, we become better,” he said.

Magaasi also expressed concerns about the prohibition of learners under 15 years old, which has impacted his squad’s depth. “Prohibiting learners who are U15 years has affected us, but it has also affected other schools.

Under this regulation, we are going to miss a lot of regular players and depth in our squad. However, we shall give other players a chance to prove their worth.”

With a wealth of experience, having been at the Nationals several times with different schools, including Kakungulu Memorial (2017), Blessed Sacrament and St. Julian in 2018 and 2024 as an assistant, Magaasi is optimistic about his team’s prospects.

“This is our debut year as a school, but I have been there several times as a coach. Our minimum target is a quarter-final stage.

As debutants, we are pressure-free and contented with qualifying, and we shall be grateful with what God will enable us to do in our debut season.”

However, team captain Abdu Razak Iradukunda has set his sights on a higher target.

“We are trying to work together as a team to compete effectively despite this being our debut season as a school.

Most of the players in this squad are making their debut. However, as players, our target and admiration are a national championship semi-final.”

Greenlight Islamic’s road to the nationals has been impressive, with the team defending the Nansana Zone trophy by beating Alliance High School 4-0 in the final.

Captain Abdu Razak Iradukunda, Elvis Kimuli, Emmanuel Lule, and Thomas Kawooya scored the goals.

At the Wakiso District Qualifiers, Greenlight won all their group games before their 2-0 against Zana Mixed Secondary in the round of 16 and a 1-0 against Cityland College Matugga in the quarter-finals.

They later lost 1-0 to Buddo Secondary School in the semi-finals and 2-1 to Standard High School-Zzana in thethird-placeclassificationtie.

In the entire qualification run, Greenlight scored a record 34 goals, with Abdu Razak Iradukunda emerging as the team’s top scorer with 10 goals.

The team’s impressive performance saw them win all seven games in the Nansana zone championship, scoring 24 goals and conceding only two.

Abdu Razak Iradukunda was the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals. At the district level, Greenlight scored 11 goals, with seven coming in the group stage.