Rashid Agau legacy: Deceased footballer celebrated with successful memorial duel, West Nile edge Acholi in epic contest

The Rashid “T9” Agau memorial football match was played at the Green Light Stadium in Arua city on Saturday, 18^th January 2025.

Thousands of passionate football fans, family, friends, and former teammates gathered to grace the match between West Nile and Acholi provinces to pay tribute to the late Agau, a beloved former Onduparaka Football Club star.

In an exhilarating encounter, West Nile defeated Acholi Province 4-2 in the epic football duel.

West Nile scored through skipper Gaddafi Wahabu, Fred Amaku and a brace by James Jarieko.

Acholi Province’s goals came from Otim and Gumperom.

The event was organized by the West Nile Players Association in collaboration with the West Nile Region Football Association and Onduparaka Football Club.

The match was aimed to honor the life of the deceased while also raising funds to support his family and ongoing projects he left behind.

Agau, one of the most talented players from the West Nile region passed away in August 2024 at Arua Regional Referral Hospital after a short period of illness.

Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Agau was dedicated to promoting football in the West Nile region.

He actively mentored young players and contributed to grassroots programs throughout the area.

During his memorial match, numerous dignitaries, sports enthusiasts, and friends gathered at a packed Greenlight Stadium to witness a match between West Nile Province and Acholi Province.

During the event, the chief guest was Hajat Madina Naham, the Director of Finance and Administration for the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Hajat Naham expressed gratitude to the attendees for their support and prayers for Agau.

She contributed Shs3 million from her office to aid Agau’s projects and promised ongoing support for his family.

“Whatever I am giving, I want somebody else to come and double, triple. Then I will come back and declare the support that I have from myself and the NRM part.” Hajjat Naham remarked.

Ronald Debo, the aspiring MP for Arua Central, reflected on Agau’s career, encouraging Ugandans to live with integrity and leave behind a legacy of values.

“I urged fellow citizens to live with integrity, reflecting the values he upheld in life. Continue resting in eternal peace, Agau,” Debo spoke.

David Karebino Majok, a prominent patron of Onduparaka Football Club, praised the fans for their turnout and assured them that the club would continue to support Agau’s family.

“Agau may be gone, but we will stand by you. I assure you that as part of the West Nile FUFA Drum, my team Onduparaka, and on my behalf, we will be with you,” Majok said.

He also thanked Hajjat Madina for her support and for being a significant patron of football in West Nile.

The event included friendly matches between Onduparaka FC fans and the Arua Media Team, as well as a match between Friends of Agau Rashid Arua and Friends of Agau Rashid Diaspora.

Hussein Ezzy, the coordinator of the memorial match, expressed gratitude to all the well-wishers for their support and pledged continued assistance to Agau’s family.

“We want to express our gratitude to everyone who attended this successful event. All the funds raised from this match will be donated to the family of the late Agau. We are also committed to supporting all the projects that Agau initiated, honoring his kindness and generosity, which earned him great respect and a lasting philanthropic legacy in Arua,” he stated.

The memorial match for Rashid Agau was not just a tribute to his footballing career but also a celebration of the man who left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

As fans slowly made their way out of Greenlight stadium, there was a sense of closure, but also an enduring belief that Agau’s spirit would forever be a part of the game of football in the football crazy West Nile region.

Agau played for several prominent clubs in Uganda, including Onduparaka, Arua Hill Sports Club and Maroons Sports Club.