Mpindi ejects Lugave in classic 2018 Bika Bya Buganda football opener at Kitende

2018 Bika Bya Buganda Championship:

Lugave 2-3 Mpindi

[/media-credit] Mpindi’s Brian Majwega delivers a corner kick in one of their attacks at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende Credit: Buganda Kingdom

Mpindi Clan overcame Lugave 3-2 in the official opening match of the 2018 Bika Bya Buganda football tournament before a fully packed gallery at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende in Busiro county on Saturday.

The King of Buganda Kingdom, Ssabasajja Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II witnessed the kick-off of the match amidst hundreds of spectators across the divide.

Left winger Brian Majwega, Juma Ssebaduka and Baker Mbowa scored for the two time Bika winners who won the championship in 2004 and 2006.

Lugave scored through Brian Nkubi’s long range shot and Paddy Tebusweke’s late strike off a corner kick in the closing moments of the game.

“It was a great victory for us. We worked hard as a unit and a complete team. Indeed, team work rewarded us” Majwega, a player at Uganda Revenue Authority FC noted.

[/media-credit] Kabaka Muteb II inspects the Lugave team players Credit: Buganda Kingdom

This was the second victory for Mpindi against Lugave since the two clans last faced on 19th July 2016, Mpindi smiled at the close of business for 90 minutes with a hard fought 1-0 win.

The descendants of Ndugwa, Lugave won in 1988, 1990, 1995, 1998, 1999 and lately in 2004.

Mpindi’s only two titles are in 1996 and ten years later in 2006.

[/media-credit] Some of the spectators who graced the St Mary’s stadium Credit:

[/media-credit] Some of the painted Lugave fans at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende Credit: Buganda Kingdom

Nte (cow) clan is the defending champion after edging Ffumbe 1-0 in the 2017 final at the Bukalasa Agricultural college play ground in Wobulenzi, Luweero.

Nte had also won the shield in 2016 after overcoming Balangira 5-4 in post match penalties after normal time had ended goal-less.

Mmamba Gabunga are the record title holders with 10 crowns.

Nyonyi Nyange humbled Ngabi Nsambi 50-38 to lift the 2017 netball championship.

Joshua Lubwama of Ffumbe was appointed as the most valuable player in the football competition last season as Halima Nakachwa was named the best netballer.