2015 Buganda Masaza Tourney:
- Finals –Buddu Vs Singo
- Saturday, 26th September 2015
- Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Namboole [4:00 p.m]
September 26th, 2015 will be a remarkable day for ‘firsts’ as far as local football in Uganda is concerned.
On a historic day when the football F.A in the country will be addressing over 100 delegates for maiden time in Soroti during the 91st Ordinary general assembly, two teams – Buddu and Singo shall be battling for the first time ever in the 2015 Buganda Masaza football Cup finals.
In the well kept books at Nelson Mandela stadium, Namboole, the Buganda Masaza football final will for the first time be played at the sports facility, arguably, the largest by far in Uganda.
The two sides, Buddu and Singo will lock horns for the first time ever in the finals of the 11 year old ever growing tournament.
Ironically, it will be Kabaka Ronald Fredrick Edward Kimera Muwenda Mutebi II’s first time to step foot at the stadium named after the legendary South African pan African leader, Nelson ‘Madiba’ Mandela, for any event.
The final day preparations have all been well planned according to the event chief brain, Abitex;
Having the Kabaka at Namboole is as momentous as the day itself. No fan should worry about anything. Stadium gates open as early as 8 a.m to avoid gate crashing. General security has been well planned and so is the entertainment from the country’s leading music artists. The technical team has also polished up everything that regards the smooth arrangement of the fixture itself”
Come to the day match proper, both teams have toiled along way to reach the finals, when they played right from group stages via the elimination rounds and finally to the D-Moment.
Whereas Singo seeks perfect revenge, having lost the last two consecutive finals to Bulemeezi and Gomba in 2013 and 2014 respectively, many residents from the county reason it is time to revenge and smile back home with the trophy.
Steven Mugwanya, a die hard Singo fan, who hails from Kasanda, Mubende testifies to Kawowo Sports that;
It has been a painful two year epoch having lost two finals. Now, it will on the 26th September or never, we need that trophy in our cabinet
Majority of Buddu fans believe, now is the time to prove critics wrong and wash down the ‘bad omen’ that has befallen their team along the years.
“It pains that we have not had a chance even to smile at the Masaza cup because our team was ever eliminated in semi finals or before that stage. 2015 is the year of golden boys and we are going for nothing but victory against Singo” narrates Hassan Mutesaasira, a Buddu Ssaza mechanic working in Nyendo, a suburb of Masaka town.
The key actors:
Whilst the match promoter Abbitex targets on how many spectators will throng Namboole on to kill two birds with one stone – have a rare glimpse on the Kabaka as they passionately cheer their respective teams to glory, the main focus will dwell on the two team’s tactics, needless to mention – the performance of the 22 actual players on the vast lushy turf.
Shafik Bisaso, head coach at Ssingo down-plays the role of any player when tasked who was key of the team’s performance, quickly interjecting with a philosophical statement;
I have one great player called ‘team’ who has been my man in action for all the matches
Bisaso has assembled a crop of players currently in a residential camp at Kasanda in Mubende.
The team is bent upon a fear-less hinge and agility that would easily awaken the peace lumbering ghosts of the constructors for the famous Uganda Railway.
He is spoilt for choice in the goalkeeping department between youthful James Ahabwe and the experienced Hadadi Mutumba.
In crafty midfielder Methodious Jjunju, Singo Ssaza has a potent weapon with the killer instinct whose vision rivals that of the high flying Eagle that has spotted a fish prey in a giant sea.
Maraunding right winger and the team’s ‘Mr reliable’, Emma Asiku will be tasked to defend and attack in equal measure.
The task for goals remains a primary duty for the strikers, Mol Makwezi, a lanky player born of a Ugandan father and South Sudanese father, and Edirisa ‘Torres’ Lubega.
The latter has so far registered four goals to his personal tally.
Enter Buddu Ssaza, the side is coached by one of Uganda Cranes former finest ball passers and dribblers in Steven Bogere, who has previously coached elite premier sides – Sports Club Villa ‘Salongo’ Jogoo and Kira Young football clubs.
It goes without saying, a coach will positively impact a style of play unto his charges basing on his personal taste and preference – henceforth the patience but purposeful game Buddu has exhibited throughout the tournament.
Buddu’s talisman, Joseph Jjanjali, no question remains the most on-form player of the tournament.
Blessed with a sublime first touch on the ball, Jjanjali is equal to the task when it comes to dribbling, passing precision, positional awareness, team-play and most importantly – Scoring; he is a darling to watch indeed.
Key of Buddu’s strong points lie in the goal keeping department where a gangly shot stopper – Yusuf Wasswa casts aside his shy persona off the playing arena and masts a ‘hyena-ly appearence’ during matches.
His understudy, Jackson Kigozi is equal to the task and it will take a dice throw to determine who starts ahead of the other.
Left back, Ronald ‘Jajja Walu’ Nkonge is steadily sending a strong statement of intent in the department following the Godfrey Walusimbi proper, Alex Kakuba, Joseph Ochaya and Nestroy Kizito lineage.
Team skipper, Mustapha Mujjuzi and Sineyi Kalevu have formed a central defensive partnership blended in Heaven but currently existing on planet earth.
Matovu Jjibulil and the man of the moment himself, Jjanjali complete Buddu’s holy trinity seeking for the the maiden title in as many years.
Current Situation:
It is now less than two weeks to the much anticipated final and already, both teams are in ‘secretive’ residential camps ahead of the most important match for the respective counties.
Who wins come the 26th September 2015 at the Nelson Mandela national stadium, Namboole before His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda, often christened ‘Masomoggi’?
Buddu or Singo, your wild guess is as good as mine.
MASAZA CUP PAST WINNERS
2014 Gomba
2013-Mawokota
2012-Bulemeezi
2011-Buluri
2010– Not Held
2009– Gomba
2008– Kyadondo
2007– Mawokota
2006– Kooki
