In a twist of fate that left fans on the edge of their seats, defending champions Team Orange were sent packing from the NVI Inter-Colour Football semi-final after a heart-stopping penalty shootout against Team Purple. The match, held at the NVI Njeru Arena on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 26, 2025, was a rollercoaster of emotions, ending in a 0-0 draw before Team Purple clinched victory 4-2 in the shootout.
Orange, led by the tactical wizard Daniel Sekitto, came into the match with high hopes, fielding their new midfield sensation, Ojara Thomas. However, their star-studded lineup was no match for Purple’s ironclad defense, masterminded by their captain, Kitaka Peter, and their coach, Mr. Ssenugi Godfrey (passionately aka “Pastor Ssenugi”). Purple’s defensive strategy was so tight, it could have been mistaken for a fortress.
The game was a tactical chess match from the first whistle, with both teams exchanging blows but failing to land the knockout punch. Orange, despite their pedigree, found themselves repeatedly frustrated by Purple’s unyielding backline. The crowd, a mix of staff and students, were treated to a nail-biting spectacle, but neither team could break the deadlock in regulation time.
With no extra time, the match went straight to penalties, where Purple proved to be the cooler heads. They converted four of their spot-kicks, while Orange managed only two, sending Purple into the final and leaving Orange to lick their wounds. The victory sparked wild celebrations among Purple’s supporters, while Orange fans were left wondering what could have been.
For Orange, the defeat marks the end of their championship reign, but they can take solace in their spirited performance. They’ll now turn their attention to the third-place playoff, where they’ll aim to salvage some pride. Meanwhile, Purple will shift their focus to the final, where they’ll look to cap off their incredible run with the Inter-Colour Football Trophy.
The final promises to be a cracker, and if this semi-final is anything to go by, fans are in for another thrilling encounter. Stay tuned!
Today all roads lead to the institute arena yet for another mouth watering semi-final game between Red and Blue, at exactly 4:00 PM.
Reported by Okwir Andrew | GAMES MASTER
