It was a jam-packed FUFA beach soccer league weekend; seven games were played at the ameliorated FUFA technical centre beach soccer arena on Sunday. Paul Lule and Rica Byaruhanga dazzled as newbies Kampala City and record champions St Lawrence sealed crucial wins to open a three-point gap at the summit. It was not the same for Kiringente and Wolves however as they lost all their respective two fixtures in Njeru.
Kampala City 11-1 Wolves
Comprising of well experienced players, Kampala City had a brilliant start to the outing – thanks to Paul Lule’s refined form. Lule, who featured once for his old club Buganda Royal last season, claimed five goals as his new side ran amok against the five commandos representing Wolves BSC. His goal tally is now at 12 in just two games. Paul Kato scored a hat-trick; Herbert Onyango grabbed a brace, while Sharif Opuuli – newly signed from Mutoola, also joined the scoring party to complete the rout. Farouk Kawuma could not allow them walkaway unbleached, he scored the consolation as Wolves got something to smile about.
St. Lawrence 7-3 MS Sand Lions
The Saints continued their excellent start to the campaign, defeating MS Sand Lions 7-3 with Rica Byaruhanga and Ronald Magwali scoring beauties that left tongues wagging, each had a brace. Brian Nkuubi scored a brace too as Baker Lukooya picked one. Byaruhanga then turned villain when he scored at the wrong end, gifting the ‘tiimu y’ekibuga’ a goal. Nigerian imports – Okollo Chinoso and Apamaku Boniface added on his strike but their efforts were simply not enough to change the course of the game.
Mutoola 3-2 Kiringente
It was a game of narrow margins and ultimately made Kiringente’s day start on a difficult note. Their goalkeeper Zephaniah Kyobwiki caught the eye of many beach soccer enthusiasts with more than eight point blank saves, including a Simon Peter Kijjo’s penalty kick save in the early exchanges. But Faizal Ssekiti eventually beat him to put Mutoola in the lead. Ashiraf Male showed up with a brace for Kiringente before Ssekiti completed his to level matters for the side coached by former Sand Cranes head coach – Salim Muwonge. The battle for the points continued until Kijjo paid up his penalty miss with a winner in the third period to consign Kiringente to the first defeat on the day.
Kiringente 0-1 Kampala City
In their second game, Kiringente were even rockier – defended gallantly and made the contest a physical one. Kyobwiki was again the man to watch between the sticks as he denied Kampala City on several occasions. But they had their hearts broken when Sharif Opuuli snaked in to score the winner for his side. This meant Kiringente went home empty handed despite their energetic performances.
Mengo Hill 4-8 Buganda Royal
The Mengo battle, brewed in Mengo – Kampala and fought in Buikwe, was a pleasure to watch. Mengo Hill, playing their first season in the league and consisting of school boys without any experience on the sand, produced an attacking game that made Buganda Royal sweat blood though they won at the end.
With a few minutes in, Mengo Hill took the lead through Patrick Ssedyabane, he then struck again to give his side a two goal cushion. Joel Mugga got a double to level matters for the ‘Abambowa’ but Lewis Evans Ninsiima arrowed in a wonder to restore Mengo Hill’s lead afore to Ssedyabane completing his hat-trick. However, they ran out of steam to allow Dalton Ssewanyana, Shafik Kyalula and Solomon Zziwa score two goals each in the final period to win it all for Buganda Royal.
Wolves 2-6 St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence took no prisoners against Wolves, beating them 6-3 to go home with maximum points. Baker Lukooya starred with a hat-trick. Sulaiman Ochero, Jonathan Kikonyogo and Rica Byaruhanga were the other net finders for SLAU. Farouk Kawuma was once again on the score sheet for Wolves, this time with a brace.
MS Sand Lions 4-1 KJT
The ‘tiimu y’ekibuga’ finally had a reason to smile. They won 4-1 against the youthful Kampala Junior Team (KJT) in the game that closed the thrilling outing. Yinusa Mufutau and Osman Kemba Arafat combined to produce the four goals that won the game for Makindye Sabagabo Sand Lions. KJT scored their consolation goal through Ashiraf Mugumira.
After three matches, Kampala City remained on top of the table with nine points, same as St. Lawrence but they lead the proceedings courtesy of a superior goal difference of 23, six ahead of the university side.
The action will resume on 28th January, with seven fixtures at FUFA technical centre.
Sunday 28th Jan, 2024 Fixtures
Buganda Royal Vs MS Sand Lions – 11am
Mutoola Vs Mengo Hill – 12pm
St Lawrence Vs Kiringente – 1pm
Grace Church Vs Wolves – 2pm
KJT Vs Buganda Royal – 3pm
MS Sand Lions Vs Mutoola – 4pm
Mengo Hill Vs Kampala City – 5pm
