2024 Buganda Masaza Cup:
- Final: Buddu 1-0 Kyaggwe
- Third-place: Kyaddondo 1-3 Buweekula
Buddu won their third trophy in the Buganda Masaza Football tournament.
Before a historic capacity crowd that was graced by the King of Buganda, His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, Buddu overcame a hard-fighting Kyaggwe 1-0 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Mike Walaga scored the priceless goal, coming in the 22nd minute of the well-attended and cheered game.
Kyaggwe had a brave opening with good ball possession in the first quarter of an hour.
David Mugalu blasted over the ball from 20 yards after being set up by Steven Nyalimo in the 12th minute.
The Bukunja Warriors remained dominant with Express midfielder Geofrey Ggagganga and Mbale Heroes winger Isaac Ofoyrwoth dictating play.
Against the run of play, Buddu scored to spark the stadium to life.
Walaga, an impressive figure the entire evening, headed home past goalkeeper Peter “Dhaira” Katongole after a decent cross by captain Pius Ssebulime in the 22nd minute.
Kyaggwe had an opportunity to quickly make amends but Ggagganga’s free-kick from 25 yards was curled out of play towards the half-hour mark.
Buddu held onto the slim lead to maintain the advantage heading to the mandatory half-time break.
Kyaggwe returned a little energized and desperate for the final 45 minutes and gave everything towards Buddu.
However, it was Buddu with the first real attempt with Mike Kayondo’s venomous shot that was well tamed by the Kyaggwe goalkeeper Peter Katongole for a fruitless corner kick.
On the hour mark, Buddu’s industrious midfielder Ssebulime was cautioned for dangerous play onto Ofoyrwoth.
Kyaggwe’s golden moment to rise came in the 63rd minute when Nyalimo headed onto the crossbar from close range, thanks to Ofoyrwoth’s deft chip from the left wing.
With a quarter of an hour to play, Buddu’s Joseph Kayondo shot a distant free-kick off target.
Meanwhile, Kyaggwe remained soul-searching and would have easily made amends but Dan Mubbale’s mis-kicked the ball where it mattered most; inside the goal area.
Hakim Lule, a second-half substitute for Godfrey Arijole, missed a free header with 10 minutes left on the clock off Yusuf Mukwana’s inviting delivery.
Mukwana became careless with fine dribbles but shooting towards the goal remained his major underdoing as Kyaggwe exerted intense pressure.
Buddu managed to absorb the pressure with due maturity and hold onto the slim goal advantage to win the contest as they lifted their third trophy in history.
By and large, it was a historic game played before a record capacity passionate crowd.
Meanwhile, the third-place playoff between Kyaddondo and Buweekula was won by the latter 3-1.
The tournament was sponsored by Airtel Uganda, Kansai Plascon, Pilsner King’s beer, Centenary Bank, Cbs Radio, BBS Telefaina, Nivana, UNAIDS and Majestic Brands.
Since the return of this championship in 2004, Gomba has won the most titles, five.
Buddu, Bulemmezi and Mawokota have won it three times apiece. Ssingo has two whilst Kyadondo, Busiro, Kooki and Buluri have won it once each.
Team Lineups (Shirt numbers in brackets):
Buddu XI: Marvin Ssebirago (22), Joseph Kayondo (4), Akram Katende (2), Herbert Onenarch (21), Latif Lubega (25), Owen Rusongoza (20), Pius Ssebulime (6), Mike Kayongo (10), Godfrey Kakooza (18), Mike Walaga (7), Malida Kuteesa (3)
Subs: Ababubaker Egase (12), Regan Kirumira (19), Augustine Lubega (5), Toure Ayman (8), Patrick Ssekyanzi (16), Martin Nsubuga (11), Joel Mukama (23), Hamza Kalibwami (14), Hudson Mbalire (29)
Head coach: Simon Ddungu
Kyaggwe XI: Peter Katongole (24, GK), Godfrey Arijole (13), Christopher Lubuuka (16), Julius Kato Lule (6), Arafat Mawanda (12), Ivan Mutebi (17), Yosam Ssembalirwa (4), Godfrey Gagganga (10), David Mugalu (18), Isaac Ofoyrwoth (7), Steven Nyalimo (21)
Subs: Abdul Bagenda (22), Ivan Bravo Kalyowa (9), Hassan Ssentongo (19), Sharif Ssewanyana (5), Dan Mubbale (3), Yusuf Mukwana (11), Hakim Lule (8), Yuda Ddumba (2), Abdullah Kawanguzi (23)
Head coach: David Katono Mutono
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