Buganda and West Nile Povinces have qualified for the final of the 1st Edition of the FUFA Drum after eliminating Bukedi and Busoga respectively.
The decisive return leg matches were played on Sunday 19th August at King George Stadium in Tororo and Kyabazinga Stadium Bugembe, Jinja.
In Tororo, Bukedi managed a 1-0 win over Buganda in regular time through Nyamityobora FC midfielder Ibrahim Pengere in the 71st minute.
The game ended 1-0 and proceeded to kicks from the penalty mark after a 1-1 aggregate score. Buganda won the first leg 1-0 in Mukono. Bukedi’s key player Poloto Julius who came on as a substitute in the second half missed his penalty kick. Buganda won 3-5 to book a berth in the final.
Ronald Kigongo, Robert Sentongo , Allan Kayiwa, Shafik Kagimu converted their kicks while David Owori, Patrick Wafula and Ibrahim Pengere also scored for Bukedi.
Bukedi star player Julius Poloto from KCCA FC was rested and missed the first half while on bench. He was later introduced immediately after the break replacing Lira United’s winger Vicent Egessa.
Poloto joined the ranks of URA FC attackers Ronald Musana, Mathew Odongo and Pengere who had earlier threatened the backline of Buganda with tireless runs.
Soana FC and Buganda Province goalkeeper Joel Mutakubya was chosen Man of the Match. He received the accolade and the prize Money (100,000/=).
In Jinja, Busoga was held by West Nile in a goalless draw, meaning no goals were produced over 180 minutes of football action between the two sides. The match was also decided on kicks from the penalty mark.
Mayanja Antony missed his attempt while West Nile players Mustafa Kizza, Fred Amaku, Vitalis Tabu, Oromochan Villa and Filbert Obenchan all converted their kicks to secure a place in the final with a result of 4-5.
Busoga suffered an early blow when goalkeeper Didi Muhammad who holds most clean sheets in the competition got injured in the 20th minute and was replaced by Mathias Muwanga.
“We are a good side and we expected to reach the final. My team was better. I was confident and believed in my players,” said West Nile coach Umar Abudallah
URA FC and West Nile goalkeeper Alionza Nafian was named Man of the Match. He received the cash prize and the accolade.