2018 Airtel Masaza Football Cup
- Final: Ssingo 1 (12) – 1 (11) Buddu
- Third place play off: Busujju 1-0 Buwekula
- Top scorer: Jude Ssemugabi (Ssing0) – 8 Goals
Ssingo Ssaza is deserved winner of the 2018 Airtel Masaza Cup.
The feat was achieved in dramatic fashion following a closely contested final with Buddu before a sold out crowd that included the King of Buganda, His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II at Mandela National stadium, Namboole on Saturday.
Ssingo recovered from a goal down to level matters one-all and send the game into a extra time that culminated to tense albeit exciting penalty shoot out
Towering center forward Frank Ssebuffu lit up the Namboole terraces with a cool finish in the 48th minute past goalkeeper Emmanuel Derrick Were at the restart of play in the second stanza of the game.
Ssingo rallied back with a gallant fight, equalizing the game through Mande Godfrey Kakooza three minutes after the hour mark following a goal melee.
Earlier, Buddu had a strong and promising start with good command of the midfield through skipper Ivan Sserubiri and the diminutive Mikidadi Ssenyonga who bossed the central midfield department for Ssingo led by Wilbeforce Ssenyonga.
Full of life and passion, Ssenyonga was a darling to follow in the early stages of the first half although the missing link remained about the poor coordination with his forwards Kuteesa Marida and company.
Ssingo’s Isaac Otto failed to find connect onto the ball with goalie Hadad Mutumba beaten outside his goal area in one of the early chances created.
Kutesa put to waste a golden scoring moment in the 32nd minute with the goal at his mercy inside the area.
Ssingo’s forward Jude Ssemugabi, the tournament top scorer with 8 goals to his name rose up in the game after 35 minutes with a shot off target from 35 yards.
Buddu skipper Sserubiri delivered a free-kick from close range that went out inches wide.
The Masaka based side’s other chance of the first half arrived on the stroke of half time when Sserubiri’s curling free-kick was saved by goalkeeper Derrick Emmanuel Were for a fruit-less corner kick as the two sides returned to the Namboole locker-rooms tied goal-less.
Buddu returned a better side, finding the back of the net two minutes into the second half.
Ssebufu raced onto a teasing defence-splitter by Ssenyonga, reacting faster to beat the advancing goalie Were with a low drive for the opener well celebrated.
The joy was however short lived when Godfrey Kakooza equalizer following a scrambled attempt in the 63rd minute.
Normal time and the added extra 30 minutes failed to produce the clear out winner before penalties were called to separate the two sides.
In the shoot out, Buddu used three different goalkeepers and had a chance to wrap up the shoot but missed the opportunity.
12-11 it ended and Ssingo smiled to yet another victory over Buddu in the final, following the 5-0 heroics during the 2015 finale at Namboole.
Ssingo has now won the Masaza title twice (2015 and 2018).
Gomba remains the most successful side with four titles to their name.
Meanwhile, Busujju defeated Buwekula 1-0 in the third place play off match to seal third place.
Prizes:
Besides the main trophy and winners’ gold medals, the victorious team was rewarded by a cash prize of Shs 10M, runners up took Shs 7M and silver medals.
The third placed side (Busujju) got bronze medals and Shs 5M while the fourth placed team (Buwekula) got Shs 3M.
The top scorer (Ssingo’s Jude Ssemugabi) rode home with a brand new motorbike.
It was yet another land mark feat for Proline head coach Shafiq Bisaso who also won his fourth title as head tactician for a Ssaza team winning in 2009, 2014 (with Gomba) as well as 2015 and 2018 with Ssingo.
Telecommunications Airtel Uganda Limited are the premium sponsors of this football championship, arguably the best graced domestic sporting competition in the country.
Team Line ups:
Ssingo XI: Derrick Emmanuel Were (G.K), Hamis Kafero, Ponsiano Ssegonja, Edward Satro, Fred Atuhwera, Godfrey Mande Kakooza, Wilberforce Ssenyonga, Jude Ssemugabi, Safi Mansoor, Misi Ssemugera, George Kiryowa
Subs: Kenneth Lukyamuzi (G.K), Jimmy Kiwanuka, Isaac Kaviiri, Denis Amadile, Isaac Otto, Juma Kasozi, Patrick Nsamba
Officials:
- Head coach: Shafiq Bisaso
- Assistant coach: Robert Ssekweyama
- Team manager: Falid Lackan
- Team Doctor: Talik
- Official: Jamil Kasenge
Buddu XI: Hadadi Mutumba (G.K), Marsa Lukwago, Umar Kato, Ashraf Magembe, Steven Sebuufu, Brian Oyuka, Ivan Sserubiri, Owen Kasule, Malida Kuteesa, Mikidadi Ssenyonga, Frank Sebufu
Subs: Johnson Muyimba (G.K), Marvin Kavuma, Gideon Odongo, Jacob Owera, Yiiga Sunday, John Kasozi
Officials:
- Head coach: Simon Peter Mugerwa
- Assistant Coach: Ronald Lukungu
- Team manager: Dirisa Masembe
