FUFA Drum:
- Ankole 2-1 Tooro
Ankole Province ensured a promising start in the FUFA Drum tournament with a well worked out 2-1 home win against Tooro at the Kakyeeka stadium in Mbarara on Sunday.
As early as the 8th minute, Swalick ‘Bebe’ Ssegujja, a player with Mbarara City had already beaten Tooro’s Douglas Kisembo for the opening goal.
Ssegujja was well positioned to tap home the opening goal, thanks to a teasing cross from the right by Charles Musige.
Nyamityobora hard working striker Yusuf Abato doubled the lead in the 27th minute courtesy of a well laid ball by exciting left winger Joseph Akwandanaho.
Hillary Mukundane (Ankole) and Nicholas Kagaba (Tooro) were booked in quick succession as the first half neared its climax.
Whereas Mukundane was booked for a foul, Kagaba was cautioned by referee Joseph Ochom for protesting for a penalty not awarded following a nasty foul in the forbidden area.
A minute to the half time whistle, Kagaba had a well curled free-kick kiss the wood work.
Upon restart in the second stanza, Bright Stars defender Innocent Assimwe powerfully headed past Muhammed Ssekebba in goal for the opening strike and their only consolation in the game.
Steven Ategeka paved way for John Byamukama as Tooro pushed for a killer punch that never arrived.
With about 20 minutes left on the clock, Paddy Muhumuza, the head coach at Tooro replaced Albert Mugisa with Isaac Kasaija.
Ramathan Musisi came out for Yasin Malik in Tooro’s final change but it did not reflect any impact onto the game.
In the final quarter of the game, Tooro’s Christopher Birungi was booked for protesting another penalty appeal and Ankole’s goalkeeper Ssekebba got cautioned for time wasting.
On Sunday, six other matches were played with the biggest surprise coming at the Masaka Recreational stadium when Kigezi outmuscled Buganda 1-0.
Derrick Mudari was the hero for Kigezi.
Kampala required a late Daniel Sserunkuma strike to over power Bukedi.
Meanwhile, Teso scored the most goals (8) past Sebei on match day one.
Away in Moroto, Karamoja held West Nile to a one all draw.
The matches among the 16 provinces shall be played on a round robin format in four groups.
Team Line Ups:
Ankole XI:
Muhamadi Ssekebba (G.K), Zaidi Byekwaso, Joseph Akwandanaho, Hillary Mukundane, Asuman Alishe Kihogo, Clinton Kamugisha, Swallick Ssegujja, Lameck Ebong, Charles Musige, Yusuf Abaato, Siraje Turyamureeba
Subs: Denis Otim, Ibrahim Sembatya, Bashir Babu, Stephen Wiine, Joram Musiimenta, Sadat Nsubuga, Samuel Kansiime
Head coach: Innocent Mukore
Tooro Province XI:
Douglas Kisembo (G.K), Norman Kugonza, Nicholas Kagaba, Timothy Musinguzi, Albert Mugisa, Paddy Muhumuza, Aliwoti Opio, Ramathan Musisi, Innocent Asiimwe, Steven Ategeka, Ronald Baguma
Subs: Isaac Kasaija, Clovis Musinguzi, Saddam Nyamutale, Eddie Ruhweza, Rogers Lwebuga, Yasin Malik, Albert Atuhaire, Christopher Birungi, John Byamukama
Head coach: Fred Muhumuza
Team manager: Herbert Mugisa
Full Match Day one results:
- Busoga 3-0 Bugisu
- Teso 8-0 Sebei
- Karamoja 1-1 West Nile
- Bunyoro 2-2 Rwenzori
- Lango 2-0 Acholi
- Ankole 2-1 Tooro
- Buganda 0-1 Kigezi
- Bukedi 0-1 Kampala