Saturday, November 20
*Gomba 0-2 Kyadondo
Sunday, November 21
*Buluuli Vs Kabula
Kyadondo shocked Defending Champions Gomba as the 2021 Airtel Masaza Cup kicked off on Saturday at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
Isaac Ssenyunja’s quick double handed Kyadondo the needed win in the Masengere Group.
Ssenyunja opened the scores in first minute of the game before doubling the advantage in the third minute with a neat header to leave Kyadondo reeling.
As it’s a norm, the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi graced the event among other dignitaries.
“We have average and young players, mostly aged 18 years, and they can easily put into practice the instructions,” said Kyadondo coach Anthony Ssekitto after the game.
“We had a strategy to get off the mark early, and we managed to utilise our chances. It was not an easy game because Gomba had good players, far better than ours, but we managed to play hard and defended very well.”
Gomba coach Ibrahim Kirya bemoaned the loss of 13 players from the team that won the competition last season.
Kirya stated: “Everything is very possible in football, I have no one to blame. We had less days to prepare and we retained only three players – Eric Dhaira, Amis Kafeero and Lutankome Juma. We are just building a new team.”
“Everyone has known us for winning but as you all know that Roma was not built in just one day, we will build a strong team and we will return to our best.”
It was a strong showing for Kyadondo who failed to get out of the groups last year and the side will be hoping for similar fortunes when they meet Ssingo on Monday before Kabula and Buluuli in the same group.
The competition is hugely sponsored by Airtel Uganda who injected Sh650m in this year’s event.
Head of Communications and Branding at Airtel Uganda Remmy Kisakye commented: “We want to thank everyone who has walked with us throughout this whole journey to develop Sports. We want to reaffirm our commitment as Airtel Uganda that we are still here to develop Football. Masaza is a prestigious tournament and it has helped to promote many players to the League and National team.”
Kisakye also commended the Media, fellow sponsors and the Buganda Kingdom to see that the tournament kicks off successfully.
Players Used:
Gomba XI – Peter Katongole, Hamis Dagada Kafeero, Sadat Mukembo, Yusuf Makutum, Musa Ssegujja, Frank Katongole, Nicholas Tumwesigye, Brian Aniku, George Masembe, Juma Junior Lutakome, Julius Omizu
Kyadondo XI – Enock Kibuuka, Yuda Ddumba, Christopher Tebandeke, Patrick Oyeiti, Fred Ntambi, Peter Kiggundu, Henry Wamala, Eddy Kasirye, Kenneth Kimera, George Kizza, Isaac Ssenyunja
