SPORTS NEWS (UGNEWSLINE) – Luuka booked their place in the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup quarter-finals with a convincing 2-0 victory over Bulamogi, while defending champions and three-time winners Kigulu suffered a shock elimination following a 1-1 draw against Bunhole Bunhanumba.
Luuka produced a commanding performance at Busalamu Primary School playground on Saturday, overcoming Bulamogi in a crucial Kagulu Hill group encounter to secure their place in the last eight.
Despite Chelsea’s Premier League lunchtime clash with Manchester United taking place on the same afternoon, Luuka supporters turned out in large numbers to rally behind their team, who responded with an impressive display and a comfortable victory.
The home side made their intentions clear from the start, with Omar Bajebi firing Luuka into the lead after just six minutes with a powerful strike.
Bulamogi struggled to contain Luuka’s attacking threat, particularly from aerial deliveries, while the pace and trickery of winger Collin Wakwewera and the physical presence of Arzhraf Emuke continued to trouble their defence.
Emuke doubled Luuka’s advantage in the 25th minute, giving the home side a firm grip on the contest with what proved to be the decisive second goal.
Bulamogi showed greater creativity after the break, with substitutes Muzaham Gonza and Ibrahim Kazungu helping to improve their attacking play. However, they could not find a way past a well-organised Luuka defence marshalled by Paul Kiranda and Joshua Nandigobe.
The victory secured Luuka’s progression to the quarter-finals with five points, finishing second behind Buzaya, who topped the Kagulu Hill group with six points. Bulamogi ended their campaign with two points.
Luuka coach Abdallah Balikoowa was delighted with the response from his players after a difficult run of results.
“We came wanting today’s win after going three matches without a win. We came with a belief of winning as our target is to win this year’s edition,” he said.
Bulamogi coach Julius Nkonte, meanwhile, apologised for his side’s failure to reach the quarter-finals, pointing to the lack of fan support as a contributing factor.
“We are very apologetic for failing to make it up to the quarters. This is due to our fans who have let us down by not showing up to support the team,” he said.
Elsewhere, there was a major upset at Iganga Saza Ground as defending champions Kigulu were eliminated after being held to a 1-1 draw by Bunhole Bunhanumba.
The three-time champions had their campaign brought to an end by one of this season’s surprise packages, with the Mayuge side showing resilience to secure a crucial result.
Anthony Bagenda continued his impressive scoring form, finding the net for Bunhole Bunhanumba in the 23rd minute after also scoring against Butembe in Wednesday’s thrilling encounter.
Kigulu appeared set to suffer defeat before Umaru Kato struck an equaliser just two minutes before the final whistle. However, the late goal was not enough to keep the defending champions in the competition.
Butembe finished top of the Mawembe Hill group with seven points, followed by Bunhole Bunhanumba on five points, while Kigulu finished bottom with two points.
The quarter-final lineup now includes Butembe, Bunhole Bunhanumba, Luuka, Buzaya, Bugweri and Busiki, with the remaining places to be decided following Wednesday’s encounter between Bugabula and Budiope.
The two sides will meet at Baligeya Playgrounds, Budiope’s home ground, in the final Nendha Hill group fixture, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Saturday’s MTN Busoga Masaza Cup results
Luuka 2-0 Bulamogi
Kigulu 1-1 Bunhole Bunhanumba
Wednesday’s fixture
Budiope v Bugabula
