St Mary’s Yala’s debut at the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games got off to a disappointing start after the Kenyan runners-up fell 1-0 to record champions St Mary’s Kitende in their Group B opener at Highlands Rehabilitation Facility in Morogoro on Friday, 14 August.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsYala arrived in Tanzania after finishing second in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national championships, but found themselves up against a Kitende side whose experience at this level was evident from the opening whistle.The Ugandans came into the contest as the record FEASSA football champions, having lifted the boys’ title 16 times, and are seeking to reclaim the crown after three years without it.FEASSSA: Amus College set early pace with victory in Uganda derbyKitende immediately imposed their authority, forcing the Black Saints to spend long periods chasing the ball.Kabito Marvin and Walence Claude helped establish control in midfield as the Ugandans moved the ball with purpose, stretching their opponents whenever an opening appeared.In the 35th minute, Moses Kalule delivered a cross from the left that found Wanaume Alvin inside the area.##NAJAVA_MECA_9895124##He beat his marker before laying the ball into the path of Lubega Farouk, whose effort sailed over the crossbar.The yellow shirts continued to move as a unit, both in possession and without the ball, leaving Yala with little room to build from the back.Their pressing forced the Kenyans into hurried clearances, while Kitende patiently searched for the opening.Mukisa Owen was booked in the 38th minute after bringing down Fidel Castro. Yala failed to make anything of the resulting free-kick, with Owen recovering quickly to head the delivery away from danger.©Alvin WesongaYala's best opportunity of the first half arrived on the stroke of halftime, when Brian Javan Omondi tried his luck from outside the box. His effort lacked the power to trouble goalkeeper Mugerwa Daniel, who collected comfortably.Kitende needed only seconds to turn defence into attack.A lapse at the back gave Owen the space he needed, and he showed composure to beat the first defender before curling the ball into the top-right corner for the opener.The goal was the final significant action of the half as Kitende went into the break firmly in control.FEASSSA 2026: Kenya’s hockey giants eye regional crown as Morogoro battle beckonsYala resumed the second half with Devine Charles taking the restart, but their grip on the contest remained fleeting. Kitende quickly regained possession and continued probing for another opening.The physical difference between the two sides became increasingly apparent as the half progressed.Kitende won several individual duels and appeared stronger in the challenges, allowing them to dictate the rhythm of the game.Kabito Marvin almost doubled the advantage in the 47th minute when he rose to meet a ball inside the area, but Yala goalkeeper Radge Johnstone reacted sharply to claim it at the highest point.Kitende continued to pull the strings across the pitch, with SMASK dictating possession and forcing Yala deeper into their own half. Yet, after the 55th-minute mark, the Kenyans began to find a little more courage in possession, with Devine Charles and Javan Omondi offering greater movement and purpose in the final third.FEASSA: Justus Mugisha officially opens 2026 Games in MorogoroThe contest then took another turn when Kitende were reduced to ten men after Lubega received his marching orders.With a numerical advantage, Yala pushed more bodies forward and introduced Arnold Odira for Devine in an attempt to add greater attacking threat. Even with an extra player, however, the Black Saints struggled to exploit the situation.Kitende continued to circulate the ball with remarkable ease, at times looking like the side with the numerical advantage rather than the team playing with ten men.The Ugandans remained dangerous and twice appealed for penalties after incidents inside the Yala box, but the referee waved play on.FEASSSA: Can Kenya’s school football champions end Uganda’s regional dominance in Morogoro?With Kitende still dictating the contest, Yala coach Calvin Onyango responded with a double change, bringing on Obed Abore and Gift Matheko in search of fresh legs and greater attacking impetus.Kitende also made a tactical adjustment, introducing Kasanya Leonard to help cover the space left by the dismissal of Lubega.The numerical disadvantage did little to alter Kitende’s approach. They kept the ball moving from side to side, drawing Yala out before quickly switching play into open spaces.##NAJAVA_MECA_9894640##Their calmness in possession frustrated the Kenyan side, who struggled to turn their extra man into territorial advantage.The Ugandans also relied on the physical presence of Kyakuwa Ashrati, Kalule Moses and Kiguye Arnold, whose strength in the duels helped Kitende maintain their defensive structure and prevent Yala from establishing sustained pressure.As the final whistle approached, Yala continued to search for a way back into the contest, but Kitende remained composed and protected their slender advantage with the experience of a side accustomed to this stage.