The 2nd Round of the 5th Edition of Omupiira Gwa Masaza Ga Busoga resumed last weekend with several matches lined up for Sunday and Monday respectively.
This year’s competition that is running under the theme “Talent Identification, Development and Promotion”, is proudly sponsored by MTN Uganda with Mayuge Sugar Industries Limited as co-sponsors.
The tournament has so far been full of excitement and surprises as presumed giants surprisingly failed to collect maximum points at home as expected since 14th May 2022 when the opening match was played at St Gonzaga playground in Kagoma.
On Sunday, Bukooli-Namayingo hosted Busiki at Namayingo P/S in a spirited match that saw Bukooli Namayingo score 3 goals against Busiki that failed to see the back of the net in its 2nd round opening match.
Bukono conceded one goal from Bugabula at Ivukula Subcounty playground in a match that ended 1-0 in favor of Bugabula while Buzaaya beat Budiope 2-0 in a heated match that was held at Buyende P/S Playground
Early this week on Monday, Luuka hosted Bugweri at Luuka district headquarters playground, Bukooli Bugiri took on Bulamogi at Hindocha playground and Kigulu hosted Bunhole-Bunanumba at Iganga Saza ground.
Six matches have been slated for this weekend. On Saturday, Butembe will take on Budiope at the Budondo Subcounty grounds while Bunha shall face-off with Bukooli-Namayingo at the Buluba Hospital grounds. On the same day, Bugweri will play against Kigulu at the Busesa Mixed p/S pitch.
On Sunday, the action will continue with Bulamogi playing against Bukono at Namwiwa P/S playground while Bunhole-Bunanhumba shall take on Luuka at the Bugadde P/s playground. Bugabula shall host Bukooli-Bugiri at the Kamuli Municipal grounds.
As the 2nd round ensues, the competing teams are targeting the next phase of the knockout stage to brighten their chances of getting to the quarterfinals coupled with the semis and eventually finals to be played on 13th August.
Perennial Busoga Masaza Cup participants-Bugabula County Football Team on Sunday registered another victory by putting 4 goals behind Bukono County Football Team. Even when football pundits had regarded them as underdogs, the description has since shifted to being title contenders in this year’s edition if Sunday’s win is anything to go by.
The first half ended in a goalless draw in a game played at Kamuli Municipality Ground and watched by several area politicians. However, Bugabula entered second half like wounded lions culminating into four goals making it inevitable for them not to lead Bukowe group with six points and five goals scored. Their goals were scored by Jafali Kaziro, Rajab Waiswa with a brace and Sam Semigugu.
Even when they hail from the bigger Bugabula BB chiefdom, pitting them against each other as regards this year’s edition has brought in some rivalry. On Saturday, Budiope County FC visited Buzaaya County FC in a game played at Luzinga Church of Uganda Primary School ending in a 1 all draw.
Buzaaya had taken the lead in the 43rd minute courtesy of Samuel Ngobi before Budiope’s Joel Waiswa equalized with 21 minutes left to play. The two counties sit joint-2nd in Kagulu Hill Group table behind Butembe who have six points from two games.
Elsewhere, Bukooli Namayingo beat Busiki 2-1 over the weekend. Bukooli Namayingo scored in the 41st minute through Ismael Ndifuna before Busiki equalized in the 81st minute through Dennis Amori upon converting a penalty. However, Busiki’s plot for a draw was short lived as Bukooli Namayingo found a winning goal in the 89th minute through Douglas Soita who headed into the net from a corner kick.
Busiki sit bottom of Mawembe group, Bukooli Namayingo are second with 3 points in a group led by historicals from Bunha.
Relatedly, Bugweri did not find any issues overcoming Luuka. The game’s only goal was scored by Derrick Menya. Bugweri opted for long balls and a defensive system in the second half which in turn handed them their first victory in the tournament. Nhenda group seems to be the group of death with Kigulu, Luuka and Bugweri having three points each.
This year’s edition is sponsored by MTN Uganda and Mayuge Sugar Industries Limited as co-sponsors.
Summary of Results.
Buzaya 1 vs 1 Budiope
Busiki 1 vs 2 Bukooli Namayingo
Bugweri 1 vs 0 Luuka
Bugabula 4 vs 0 Bukono
Ever since the 5th edition of the MTN Uganda sponsored Busoga Masaza Cup kicked off last month, each of the participating teams seems to have sharpened their scorers. This is evident by the number of goals scored so far.
Just last weekend, many games were played at the different venues but scoring in each of the games was inevitable.
Ayub Dester’s troops from Bunha County Football team made a trip to Namayingo on Sunday for a showdown with Bukooli Namayingo. In a game played at Namayingo P/S playground, a lone goal by David Okema was enough to condemn Bukooli Namayingo for the day. This is Bunha’s second successive win.
Luuka managed to humble Bunhole Bunanhumba 2-1 thereby securing the much needed three points in Nhendha group.
Luuka took an early lead in the first three minutes having capitalized on pitch familiarity and doubled their lead in the sixteenth minute courtesy of Allan Bamwanga and Cyrus Mugulusi respectively. Bunhole tried to fire back but only managed a consolation through Joel Tumwesigye in the second half.
Bulamogi, who are making their maiden appearance in the tournament, silenced their neighbors from Bukono with a 1-0 in a game played at Ivuukula Sub-county playground. Their solitary goal was scored by Nathan Bwamiki in the first half. Bulamogi capitalized on Bukono’s mistakes since they were being underrated as new entrants to the tournament. Bulamogi will next entertain Bugabula next month in Namwiwa.
The Busoga Masaza tournament is graced by a vast number of people from the kingdom and the tournament sponsors including MTN Uganda.
Joseph Bogera, General Manager, Sales and Distribution, MTN Uganda said the tournament has driven a sense of unity amongst the people of Busoga.
“On behalf of MTN Uganda, I am glad to see the matches unfolding because the tournament is testimony to the power of togetherness which is critical to cultural bonds. MTN seeks to harness togetherness amongst the people of Busoga, because at MTN, we believe we are good together,” he said.
Goals during this tournament have been an attractive factor that draws the people of Busoga from far and wide to watch the matches.
2017 Masaza Champions Butembe County Football team didn’t waste time in humbling perennial participants from Budiope.
Second half goals from Bashir Kabi and Farouk Magumba were the main determinants of the game. This is Butembe’s second win after overcoming Buzaaya in the opener of the tournament.
It should be noted that all the 8 matches played so far have seen at least a goal scored in each game. No game has ended in a draw.
Luuka’s Allan Bamwanga has scored the fastest goal so far (inside the opening 5 minutes in the first half).
A total of 14 goals have been scored, 4 in the first half and 10 in the second half by 12 different players in total.
Relatedly, no team has lost a game after taking the lead either in first or second half.
Bunha has scored the highest number of goals (5) at the moment.
Bunha and Butembe have each kept 2 clean sheets at home and away from home successively.
This weekend, the streak remained undefeated as Buzaaya and Budiope ended the match at 1-1 at Luzinga Community Primary School while Bukooli Namayingo defeated Busiki 2-1 at Namutumba Upper Primary School.