Different tales for events in the history of Ugandan football are well scripted time immemorial.
From the lowest tier leagues to the elite FUFA super league, football is played on the grass, inside the glassed buildings – boardrooms and on the ‘presidential floor’ at Mengo.
Stories ranging from the cricket scores in games, meanest defence lines, fancy ball possession, and rough play to the game politicking have been well documented.
Earlier in the week, FUFA Competitions director Ali Mwebe announced several teams in the FUFA Big league had been docked off points for failure to adhere to the game rules and regulations.
Almost 2/3 of the teams had at least fielded an ineligible player or two in their games.
Whistle Blower:
After the 2 all The Saints – Lweza game at Namboole, the home club petitioned the competitions department citing Lweza’s use of an illegal player – Saad Kibirango.
The said player, who is said to have played with an accumulated number of yellow cards (3) had recorded a brace on the evening.
The competitions department welcomed the petition and promised to act swiftly in a record time.
“We had to revisit all matches dating as far back as match day one to critically analyze the cautions (yellow and red cards), game results and the team line ups”, Mwebe explains.
The Saints’ Ironic Guilt:
In a rather an unpredictable twist of circumstances, The Saints were themselves found guilty of having used an ineligible player (Ivan Okot) in the first round game against Lweza FC in the FUFA Big League at Kajjansi playground (the game, which was played on 17th November 2013 ended 2 all too).
The said player received marching orders against Ndejje University in Luweero. He missed the Gulu University game.
Ignorance of Law is no defence:
It is amazing most FUFA Big league clubs never consult. In an official statement released by the club after the committee announced the points’ dock decision, they conceded to having fielded the player without any knowledge.
The Saints’ statement:
“In hindsight, during that game, we fielded a player Ivan Okot who should never have been included. Okot had received a red card (second yellow) in our game against Ndejje University FC in Luwero.
We immediately knew that he was suspended for the next match and indeed we didn’t include him in our next game against Gulu University FC at Namboole the next weekend.
After the Gulu game, we believed Okot had served his (ONE MATCH) suspension. We were wrong. Very wrong.”, the statement read.
How regrettable that in Uganda we still have football officials who ‘just think’ without authoritive consultations from the league board.
Eye Opener:
In heated debate with The Saints’ officials after the Artland – The Saints game at Buziga, I strongly condemned the team officials for that an unfortunate decision.
“Where and how are The Saints’ records kept?”, I asked. “The issue is not about record keeping, we actually failed to understand that aspect of bookings and cards. But it is a learning point to us, other teams and even those in the Super division”, Patrick Mugumya, the club’s secretary answered back.
Tense Big league Climax:
With the Big league nearing the climax, the competition for the qualification slots has intensified with Jinja side, Sadolin Paints having claimed the automatic Elgon group winner’s ticket to FUFA Super league 2013/14.
For all the teams that were docked off the points, there is still another opportunity in life.
Alluta Continua:
The Struggle Continues like we passionately sang at the mighty Osajefyo ancestral land of Nkurumah Hall in Makerere University during the yesteryears’ sporting festivities, whose script will wait till another day.
Respect to all parties.
