KAMPALA, Uganda: Mengo League held their nerve when it mattered most, edging KOSA League 7–6 on penalties to win the MTN Inter-Alumni Futsal League final on Saturday, December 13, and clinch a fully paid trip to Morocco to support the Uganda Cranes in their opening international fixture.
The tightly contested final ended 1–1 in regulation time before Mengo prevailed in a tense shootout, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Mengo SS Old Boys, whose victory crowned weeks of competitive, high-tempo futsal played under the MTN “Gaga Your Way to Morocco” campaign.
Earlier in the tournament, KOSA League had looked formidable, cruising past Kasoba League with a commanding 5–0 win in the semi-finals. Mengo League, meanwhile, booked their place in the final after overcoming Sharks League in a disciplined display that highlighted their defensive organisation and composure under pressure.
The final itself was not without drama. Before kick-off, KOSA officials lodged a protest over the alleged use of ineligible players by Mengo League. After review, the issue was cleared, allowing the match to proceed. What followed was a tightly fought contest marked by physical intensity and tactical caution, with both sides refusing to give an inch.
After the final whistle, a Mengo League team member summed up the emotion of the moment.
“We lost to KOSA earlier, but thanks be to God that on the final day we beat them,” she said. “It was a comeback, and now we are travelling to Morocco. You will see us on the front line supporting, wearing our jerseys because we love our nation.”
Another player from the winning team spoke of the sacrifices made to reach this stage.
“That is why we have been playing through pain, believing that we could make it there to support the team,” he said. “The dream has come true. I am going to board a plane all the way to Morocco.”
Individual honours also featured prominently, with Paul Kakeeto finishing the tournament as the top scorer, underlining the attacking quality on display throughout the competition.
The Inter-Alumni Futsal League forms part of MTN Uganda’s broader “Gaga Your Way to Morocco” campaign, which is giving fans multiple pathways to earn a place in the stands as the Uganda Cranes take on continental opponents in Morocco later this month. By blending grassroots football, alumni pride, and national team support, MTN has turned local competition into a gateway for fans to be part of a major international moment.
As anticipation continues to build around the Cranes’ opening game against Tunisia on December 23 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the scenes from the futsal finals captured exactly what MTN’s campaign is designed to unlock: passion, belief, and the chance for ordinary Ugandans to turn football dreams into lived experiences—one Gaga moment at a time.
