FUFA Big League (Promotional Playoffs):
Thursday, 4th May 2017 – At Mutesa II Wankulukuku Stadium
- Ndejje University Vs Mbarara City – 2:00 p.m
- Synergy Vs Kira United – 4:00 p.m
Promotional final:
- Sunday, 7th May 2017 – 2 p.m
Main Final:
- Masavu Vs Maroons – 4 p.m
The FUFA Big League playoffs kick off on Thursday afternoon at the Mutesa II Wankulukuku Stadium, found in Kabowa on the outskirts of the ever busy Ugandan capital, Kampala.
Four clubs are in serious contention for the remaining slot to the Uganda Premier League.
It is that time of the year equated to an ordinary farmer who heads to the gardens to harvest produce after an epoch that included tilling the land, sowing, weeding, pruning among others.
The allusion is, of course, to the sound made by squirming in one’s seat as one’s team’s fortunes wax and wane.
First in the frey, is seasoned Big League side Ndejje University from Luwero taking on Western Region’s Mbarara’s City (of Western Youth Member of Parliament, Mpaka Mwine) in the early kick-off at 2 p.m.
At 4 p.m, Masaka based Synergy, arguably the most comfortable team on the ball in the entire Big League will entertain dark horses and debutants, Kira United.
This is the time to forget the past and concentrate on the present situation as the two clubs successful after Thursday will once again meet on Sunday to determine who joins Masavu and Maroons.
A lot has been said and heard all season long. Now, it will be time to act – a time to prove critics wrong or right.
Ndejje University has played the Big League since inception in 2017 is now doubt the most experienced side, having also played the playoff a number of times.
Against Richard Makumbi’s Mbarara City, the tie will remain as epic as expected.
For starters, Makumbi is one of those specialists at promoting teams from lower leagues to the elite cream.
In an exclusive interview with Kawowo Sports, Makumbi is more than ready to re-write history having previously guided SCOUL, Health, Nalubaale, BUL and recently Entebbe F.C.
“We have done the home work in the regular season. The playoffs on Thursday and Sunday will be a time to execute what had failed to see us get promoted directly,” Makumbi stated.
Another Big talking side ahead of the FUFA Big League playoffs is Kira United.
After years and years in the Wakiso District League (4th division), the side made the grade to the Buganda Regional League in the 2015/16 season beating Seeta United to storm the Big League in the consequent year.
One of Kira United’s directors, Abbey Mbaziira believes this is their time.
“All along we had been preparing for such a moment and this is the time,” Mbaziira who will rely on the experience of Richard Nyerere, eboss Kalama and immensely talented midfielder Moses Sseruyidde noted.
Kira United takes on another promising side in Synergy whose manager Brian Ssenyondo remains one of the youngest tacticians in the country thus far.
Ssenyondo preaches a philosophy of ‘total football’ – where play is patiently built from the backline.
In Solomon Okwalinga and Nicholas Kasozi, Syenrgy has the ammunition that can bring down even the combined forces of Syria and Iraq.
“This is a project that we started on years ago. The players have the belief and management entrusted us the technical team to execute the play, the rest shall be perfected by the players,” Ssenyondo whose team defeated Mbarara City 2-1 on the last day of the regular season remarked.
The promotional final shall be held on Sunday, 7th May 2017 at 1:00 p.m.
Then, the main match between Maroons and Masavu at 4:00 p.m to decide the overall winner of the 2016/17 FUFA Big League.
Relegated:
From the Elgon Group, Moroto United, Kyambogo and Doves All Stars have been all relegated and will play in their respective Regional Leagues.
Boma Young, Entebbe, Hope Doves and Baza Holdings were relegated under the Rwenzori Group.
The FUFA Big League was started in the year 2010 as a feeder to the top flight – the Uganda Premier League.
