St Mary’s Secondary School Kitende endured yet another quarterfinal heartbreak at the 2026 Buganda Schools Football Championship after losing 5–3 on penalties to Standard High School Zzana (STAHIZA) following a 1–1 draw on Friday evening at Kawanda Secondary School.
STAHIZA struck first inside the opening ten minutes when Bashir Kabagambe found the back of the net to give his side an early advantage.
Kitende, however, responded before the halftime whistle as Nabil Kajumba rose highest to head home a superb equalizer into the top corner.
The second half produced a tense contest, with Kitende pressing for a winner through several attacking moves, but neither side could break the deadlock, forcing the game into a penalty shootout.
STAHIZA held their composure from the spot to win 5–3 and book a place in the semifinals, while Kitende bowed out at the quarterfinal stage for the second consecutive year.
Elsewhere, debutants Highway Secondary School Kiganda continued their impressive campaign by knocking out Merryland High School Entebbe.
The match ended 1–1 in normal time after Daniel Muwanguzi gave Merryland an eighth-minute lead before Ronnie Yakisa equalized for Highway in the 16th minute.
Highway later triumphed 4–2 in the shootout.
Buddo Secondary School also progressed to the last four with a narrow 1–0 victory over Kyadondo Secondary School, extending Kyadondo’s frustrating run of near misses.
Greenlight Islamic Secondary School secured their semifinal berth by edging St Andrew Kagwa Gombe High School Kawaala 3–2 on penalties after a goalless draw.
The semi-finals on Saturday will see STAHIZA face Greenlight, while Buddo take on Highway Kiganda.
