Uganda’s cue-sport titans Ceasar Chandiga “Da Scorpion” and Rukia Naiga delivered another masterclass in continental dominance, storming to victory at the 2nd Edition of the Cue Masters International Pool Carnival in Arusha, Tanzania. The four-day championship, which kicked off with Uganda firmly stamping its authority on African pool.
How Chandiga outguns Tanzania’s Mbongo
In a tense men’s singles final, Chandiga overcame Tanzania’s crowd favorite and fearsome sharpshooter Abdullah Miraj “Mbongo” with an 11-7 victory.
The match was a roller-coaster of momentum swings: Chandiga opened with a fiery 3-0 burst, only for Mbongo to retaliate with his own 3-0 run.
The two clashed like seasoned prizefighters, with Chandiga surging ahead to 6-3, only for Mbongo to fight back and level the score at 6-6.
Chandiga regained the lead with two more frames, making it 8-6, but Mbongo refused to back down, claiming another frame to narrow the gap to 8-7.
Sensing the match slipping from his grasp, Chandiga unleashed his full fury. Like a true scorpion, he swept through the remaining frames with ruthless precision, sealing a decisive 11-7 victory.
The triumph extends what has been a spectacular year for Chandiga, coming barely a week after his victory at the Billiards Café Pool Competitions in Lusaka, Zambia, and his earlier Commonwealth Heyball Championship title, early this year.
Tanzania’s Team Sniper also also won the teams event.
Zambia’s Kabwe, champion of the inaugural CueMasters Carnival, was stopped in the quarterfinals, clearing the path for new champions in Arusha.
Naiga wins the ladies category
On the women’s side, Rukia Naiga faced off with fellow Uganda and senior player Amina Faith Nganda, defeating her with a commanding 11-1 victory.
Naiga’s win comes hot on the heels of her continental triumph at the Ultimate Pool Championships in South Africa in late October, reaffirming her status as Africa’s most lethal female cueist. Uganda’s Julie Namuhanga and Kenya’s Penninal Njoiki sealed third and fourth place respectively.
