Bugema secures quarterfinal spot with 3-1 victory over Kampala University

Pepsi University Football League 
Group D
Wednesady Result 
KU 1 Bugema 3
Thursday, 4pm 
UNIK v IUEA 
Friday, 3pm 
MUST v MRU
Live on Bukedde TV2 and Wan Luo TV 

Bugema University booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Pepsi University Football League with a dominant 3-1 away win against Kampala University (KU) on Wednesday at the Yes Centre Sports Arena in Nsambya.

The visitors took an early lead in the third minute when Benjamin Nsubuga’s own goal handed Bugema the advantage. Charles Kagoda extended the lead in the 32nd minute, and Eric Sawa added a third just before halftime in the 42nd minute to put the game out of reach.

KU’s lone goal came from Gilbert Wanume, who scored a spectacular volley in the 32nd minute, briefly reigniting his team’s hopes. However, Bugema’s solid performance ensured they maintained control throughout the match.

The victory not only secured Bugema’s position at the top of Group D with 12 points from five matches but also completed a league double over KU, having defeated them 2-1 in the reverse fixture last October.

Bugema started the game with high intensity, pressing aggressively and limiting KU’s attacking opportunities. Wanume’s stunning strike provided a glimmer of hope for KU, but a defensive error 10 minutes later allowed Sawa to capitalize on a poor clearance and restore Bugema’s two-goal cushion.

KU struggled early on, as evidenced by Nsubuga’s own goal in the opening minutes. Although they improved their ball possession in the second half, Bugema’s disciplined defense held firm to secure the 3-1 victory.

Bugema head coach Medhi Nyanzi expressed his delight at reaching the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season and emphasized his team’s ambition to surpass last year’s performance.

“I am very happy with the boys; they played according to instructions and executed the game plan perfectly. We knew KU would be tough to break down, so we started with high intensity, and it paid off,” Nyanzi said.

“Last season, we exited at the quarterfinals, but this time, we want to go further and win the trophy. I believe my team is good enough to achieve that,” he added.

On the other hand, KU head coach Vincent Tumusiime lamented his team’s inefficiency in front of goal and vowed to address the issue ahead of their crucial Nsambya derby against Kampala International University (KIU).

“We created chances but failed to convert them. We need to work on our finishing before our next game,” Tumusiime said.

With one group-stage match remaining, Bugema leads Group D with 12 points, followed by KU with nine points. Gulu University sits in third with seven points, while KIU remains at the bottom with just one point.

In the final round of fixtures, Bugema will host Gulu University, while KU faces KIU in a must-win clash to keep their hopes alive for qualifying as one of the best second-placed teams.

This season’s Pepsi University Football League features six groups, with the top team from each group earning direct qualification to the quarterfinals. They will be joined by the two best second-placed teams to complete the last-eight lineup.

Bugema’s impressive performance has set the stage for an exciting knockout phase as they aim to lift the trophy this season.