USSSA Ball Games II 2026: Mukono Kings Stun Standard High Zzana to Win Maiden Beach Soccer Title
By George Katongole
Mukono Kings announced themselves as the new force in Uganda’s school beach soccer after stunning three-time champions Standard High School Zzana (STAHIZA) 10-4 to lift the boys’ title at the 2026 USSSA Ball Games II Beach Soccer Championship in Gulu City.
The Mukono-based side travelled to Gulu with only one team after financial constraints limited their participation in other disciplines. A year after winning the inaugural USSSA boys’ futsal title—a competition that was not part of the FEASSA Games—they grabbed the opportunity on the sand to secure qualification for this year’s FEASSA Games.
Making their debut in the beach soccer competition, Mukono Kings produced a breathtaking attacking display to overpower the experienced STAHIZA side, ending the Wakiso giants’ dominance of the championship.
Tesloach Gatlau Deng starred with four goals, while team captain Sudiki Bulima netted twice. Patrick Afeku and Ronald Wanyama also scored two goals each as Mukono Kings ran riot against the defending champions.
At the other end, goalkeeper Nicholas Luswata was equally outstanding. His commanding performances throughout the tournament earned him the Boys’ Most Valuable Player (MVP) award after registering two clean sheets—an impressive achievement in the fast-paced, high-scoring format of beach soccer.
Dream Finally Realised
Mukono Kings head coach Shafiq Mudholo said qualifying for the FEASSA Games made the victory even more meaningful.
“We have been missing out at this stage. Last year we won the futsal title but it was not a FEASSA sport. Now that we have qualified for FEASSA, we shall do everything possible to compete for the championship. Our teamwork has been our biggest strength,” Mudholo said.
Team captain Sudiki Bulima admitted they always believed they could compete with the traditional powerhouses, although the winning margin exceeded expectations.
“We were confident because we knew we were good enough to compete with anyone. Winning by such a big margin is something I didn’t expect, but it shows how much we have improved as a team,” he said.
USSSA Targets Expansion
Speaking during the awarding ceremony at Sacred Heart Secondary School, USSSA President Justus Mugisha, accompanied by President Emeritus Patrick Okanya, applauded the continued growth of beach soccer despite the infrastructure challenges facing the sport.
“Beach soccer and beach volleyball are unique sports because they require specialised sand facilities, which are not yet accessible to many schools,” Mugisha said.
He revealed that USSSA has already established beach sports facilities in Kabalega, Soroti, Tororo and Gulu as part of a long-term expansion strategy.
“We want every zone to have an active beach soccer league with regular weekend competitions. We are already engaging schools like Ntare School and Kiruhura Girls School to embrace the sport.”
Mugisha added that USSSA aims to increase participation from the current number of teams to 16 next year before expanding to 32, 48 and eventually 64 schools within the next four years.
“Our target is to have 64 participating schools by the fourth year while building strong zonal leagues. Ultimately, we want Uganda to dominate and win regional beach soccer championships within the next four years,” he noted.
Medal Winners
Boys
Gold: Mukono Kings
Silver: Standard High School Zzana (STAHIZA)
Bronze: Crown City
Girls
Gold: Standard High School Zzana
Silver: Sacred Heart Secondary School
Bronze: Tororo Girls School
Individual Awards
Girls MVP
Lillian Asianzu – (Standard High School Zzana)
Boys MVP
Nicholas Luswata (Mukono Kings) – Goalkeeper with two clean sheets throughout the tournament.