A section of Nambole Stadium that almost filled to capacity on Saturday.
Full Time: Ssingo 5-0 Buddu
Third Play offs: Bugerere 2-0 Bulemeezi.
Ugandans witnessed various records being written on Saturday in as far as local football is concerned. First, Buganda’s cultural leader Kabaka (king) Ronald Muwenda Mutebi the 2nd set his first foot on the Mandela National stadium, Nambole turf since its inception.
Secondly, Ssingo which had lost the last two consecutive finals finally lifted the trophy on the third attempt. Ssingo torn apart Buddu who had reached their maiden final in a one sided 5-0 encounter.
In history, Ssingo’s 5-0 win over Buddu was the biggest margin suffered by a losing team on a final of this competition.
Henry Mugoya’s header was deflected in the net by a defender to put Ssingo in front in the first 10 minutes of the game before Edrisa Lubega and Mukueth Wol bagged a brace each to seal the victory in style.
Buddu, who were largely composed of students from the East African Secondary schools champions, Masaka ss, were undone by their inexperience, height and size.
The rain poured throughout the game and thus a hindrance to Buddu’s free flowing style of play and as a result, Ssingo’s pace and physique reined over Buddu’s pin sized defenders.
Earlier, Bugerere had beaten Bulemeezi 2-0 to take the third spot.
However, the most important lesson from the game at Nambole was that local football has the power to attract Ugandans to fill bigger stadia like Nambole.
The 40000 and above capacity stadium filled almost to capacity on Saturday something rarely seen even during most of the Uganda Cranes games.
But why was this possible?
Attachment to the teams; every fan who stormed Nambole on Saturday had a reason, some of them love to be wherever the Kabaka is, while others were attracted by the entertainment the organisers provided. But the most sounding factor was that those in the stadium felt attached to or identified with each of the teams that played on the day. Everybody in Buganda has a county (saza) where he/she originates from and thus the spirit in which the tournament is played.
Buganda’s Kabaka (king) 2nd from left handing over Bika ( clans) crown to Mbogo’s captain Erisa Ssekisambu this year in Masaka.
The Power of advertising; When an event organiser, Abbey Musinguzi under his brand Abetex promotions took over the management of this cup final, all local media channels were fill with adverts promoting the game not forgetting the roadside banners that filled every part of the kingdom.
Ugandans love their own; as I have always said elsewhere, the European leagues especially the English Premier League has little to do with the diminishing numbers in our stadia during league games but failure to organise our game to the desired expectations.
As Nambole was being filled to capacity, games in the EPL including Tottenham Spurs Vs Man city and Leicester Vs Arsenal but no one cared despite being washed by rain for long hours.
Therefore, it’s important that football authorities in Uganda look into the above and other reasons for the betterment of our football.
Masaza Cup Winners since 2004
Year County (Saza)
2015 Ssingo
2014 Ggomba
2013 Mawokota
2012 Bulemeezi
2011 Buluri
2010 Not Held
2009 Gomba
2008 Kyadondo
2007 Mawokota
2006 Kooki
2005 Mawokota
2004 Gomba
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