Kigulu and Butembe share the spoils in a penalty-filled contest, while Luuka fight back from two goals down to draw with Buzaya

The MTN Busoga Masaza Cup produced another dramatic midweek round as Kigulu and Butembe played out a 1-1 draw on Wednesday before Luuka mounted a stunning second-half comeback to rescue a 2-2 draw against Buzaya on Thursday.

Both matches delivered late drama, with penalties deciding the outcome in Iganga and a stoppage-time spot-kick rescuing Luuka after Buzaya had established a two-goal lead.

Kigulu 1-1 Butembe

Butembe began the contest at Iganga Ssaza Ground with an attacking approach and almost made the early pressure count in the eighth minute.

A sustained spell of pressure earned the visitors a corner, with Zirabamuzale Hassan delivering a dangerous ball into the area. Ssegawa Hakim attempted an acrobatic tap-in, but Kigulu goalkeeper Mukisa James was alert enough to produce an excellent save.

Butembe continued to threaten, with their best opportunity of the opening period arriving in the 17th minute. Zirabamuzale again provided the delivery, this time from the right, picking out an unmarked Mudul Hassan. The forward, however, tapped his effort wide from close range.

Butembe and Kigulu players battle for possession at Iganga Ssaza Ground in a tightly contested MTN Busoga Masaza Cup encounter that ended 1-1

Mudul soon found himself one-on-one with Mukisa James, but his attempt to lift the ball over the goalkeeper was miscued straight into the custodian’s hands.

Kigulu gradually found their way into the game and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 37th minute. Mulungi David raced onto a through ball with only Butembe goalkeeper Mukisa Rahim to beat, but hesitation allowed the goalkeeper to collect.

Kigulu emerged from the interval with greater attacking intent, and a double substitution quickly began to influence the contest.

Substitute Baseye Hassan was brought down inside the penalty area, prompting referee Kyepa Samuel to point to the spot. Owor Armstrong stepped up and calmly converted in the 75th minute to put the hosts ahead.

Butembe’s response was immediate.

Just two minutes later, Wakooli Pius was fouled at the opposite end and Butembe were awarded a penalty of their own. Busulwa Mathias took responsibility and made no mistake, restoring parity at 1-1.

The two sides ultimately shared the points after a tightly contested encounter.

Kigulu head coach Waiswa Sinani felt his side had created enough opportunities to win but was disappointed with how they defended their lead.

“The team we played was good and had a good approach, we tried to get an early goal but Butembe was up to the challenge. We created more chances in the second half, we had about four corners and that’s why we got a penalty but unfortunately we couldn’t defend to the end.”

Butembe coach Kitakule Isaac was pleased with his side’s composure, particularly after conceding.

“First half was balanced, they tried to attack us at the beginning of second half but our boys remained composed. They got one moment and we conceded a penalty and those are some of the things we anticipated since we were away but the boys didn’t lose concentration and that is why we got an equalizer.”

Butembe will next play at home at Kakindu Stadium on 2 September, while Kigulu travel to face Bunhole-Bunhanumba at Bugade Primary School on 9 September.

Luuka 2-2 Buzaya

If Wednesday’s contest was decided by penalties, Thursday’s encounter at Busalamu Primary School delivered a comeback that few could have predicted.

Luuka recovered from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw with Buzaya with the final kick of the match, completing a dramatic second-half turnaround after the visitors had dominated much of the opening period.

Buzaya’s Samuel Kayizi was at the centre of their attacking threat from the start.

The left winger repeatedly troubled the Luuka defence and opened the door for the visitors in the 17th minute after capitalising on loose defending from Luuka right-back Paul Kiranda.

Kayizi then played a short pass to the unmarked Andrew Mukungu, who made no mistake as he slotted the ball into an empty net to give Buzaya a 1-0 lead.

Luuka’s supporters grew increasingly nervous whenever Kayizi received possession and drove towards their penalty area, and the winger soon showed he could cause problems from the opposite side of the attack as well.

After 37 minutes, Kayizi combined with Nicolous Kizza in a one-two before finding Rahman Kabaale, who finished with a low drive to give Buzaya a deserved 2-0 advantage going into half-time.

But Luuka returned from the interval transformed.

After trailing 2-0 at half-time, Luuka fought back in the second half, with Derrick Ikooza’s late penalty securing a share of the spoils

Despite Buzaya missing three clear opportunities, including two long-range efforts from Kibaale and Kayizi, the momentum shifted dramatically as the home side began to dominate.

Coach Abdallah Balikoowa’s introduction of striker Muzaham Gonza, Shafik Mugagga and experienced attacking midfielder Collins Wakwewera changed the contest, with Luuka creating chance after chance.

Their pressure finally told in the 65th minute.

Wakwewera delivered a corner into the area and Gonza rose to head Luuka back into the game.

The home side continued their relentless attacks and eventually earned a late penalty after Ibrahim Kazungu was fouled inside the box.

The decision sparked a furious reaction among the visiting Buzaya supporters, with some entering the pitch in protest against the referee’s decision. Police intervened and fired rubber bullets into the air before the situation was brought under control.

With the tension still high, Luuka left-back and Man of the Match Derrick Ikooza stepped up to take the penalty.

He held his nerve and converted, sending the home supporters into jubilation as Luuka salvaged a 2-2 draw with the last kick of the match.

Ikooza was subsequently named Man of the Match and received UGX 200,000 in mobile money from MTN, beating Buzaya’s Kayizi, who had created both of his side’s goals.

Buzaya coach Sadam Kazindula was unhappy with the officiating and felt his side had been on the wrong end of several decisions.

“As always, the home side has many advantages. On several occasions he waved off serious challenges on us and blew against us during the fifty fifty challenges. We conceded an offside goal but since we came for 3 points, an away point is not bad.”

For Luuka coach Abdallah Balikoowa, the comeback demonstrated his players’ resilience after a difficult opening half.

“We were unlucky to concede so early 2 goals but our resilient performance in second half helped us save a point. I told them to look for a goal in the first 15 minutes. Our target is to fight for three points against Bulamogi.”

The result leaves the competition in the Kagulu Group finely poised, with the race expected to become even tighter over the coming three matches.

What’s next?

The MTN Busoga Masaza Cup continues on Saturday when Budiope face Bunha at Baligeya Memorial.

On Sunday, Bukooli Bugiri host Busiki at Bukooli College, while Bugweri welcome Bukooli Namayingo to Busesa Mixed Primary School.