The 2026 Inter Islamic Secondary Schools Association (ISSAU) football tournament has burst into life with a gripping round of group-stage fixtures, setting up a compelling quarter-final showdown slated for this morning at Buziga Islamic Theological Institute.
The two-day championship, which kicked off on Saturday, June 26, brought together ten competitive sides divided into two pools. After a series of intense and, at times, high-scoring encounters, the tournament has already delivered drama, standout individual performances, and clear title ambitions from several contenders.
Defending champions Greenlight Islamic Secondary School underlined their credentials with commanding displays, dispatching Rabiha High School 3-0 before easing past Ibun Kathir 2-0. Mark Dandali and Abdul Razak Irrankunda were on target in the opening victory, while Elvis Kimuli and Tonny Buyungo sealed the second, reinforcing Greenlight’s status as firm favourites.
Kampala Islamic Secondary School also emerged as a formidable force, edging Dar Salaam 1-0 courtesy of Akram Adrabu before overcoming Madina Islamic 2-1 in a spirited contest. Adrabu proved decisive once again, netting a brace to overturn Swamadu Tenywa’s opener and guide his side into the knockout phase with momentum.
Elsewhere, Ibun Kathir produced the most emphatic result of the group stage, thrashing Rabiha High School 5-0. Pius Bukenya stole the show with a clinical hat-trick, complemented by goals from Bbale Jonathan and Ayub Ismail Abdul.
Kasawo Islamic secured a narrow but vital 1-0 victory over TopTimes High School, with Jerom Kakonge converting from the penalty spot after Carlos Echiru had won the decisive spot-kick in the first half.
Bilal Islamic and Dar Salaam shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, with Ismail Kyazze and Arnold Wassajja finding the net for their respective sides, while Buziga Islamic registered a crucial 2-0 win over TopTimes through Emmanuel Nsubuga and Waleed Katende.
With the group stage concluded, attention now shifts to a high-stakes quarter-final lineup. Greenlight will face TopTimes High School in a clash that pits recent dominance against past pedigree. Kasawo Islamic take on Bilal Islamic, while Kampala Islamic meet Ibun Kathir in what promises to be an explosive encounter. Hosts Buziga Islamic will square off with Dar Salaam in the final quarter-final fixture.
The tournament’s condensed schedule means the semi-finals will follow later in the afternoon, culminating in the grand finale and awards ceremony in the evening.
Historically, Madina Islamic Secondary School and Greenlight Islamic Secondary School stand as the competition’s most decorated teams, each boasting two titles. Madina triumphed in 2019 and 2024, TopTimes claimed the crown in 2022, while Greenlight secured back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2025.
With reputations on the line and silverware within reach, the stage is perfectly set for a thrilling conclusion to this year’s ISSAU football spectacle.
