Gomba, Kyaggwe receive new kits ahead of Masaza Cup final

Saturday Masaza Cup final

Gomba v Kyaggwe, 4pm – Wankulukuku

Third place playoffs

Bugerere v Butambala, 12noon - Wankulukuku

The excitement surrounding this year's Masaza Cup final has reached fever pitch, with record champions Gomba Ssaza and Kyaggwe Ssaza each receiving a brand-new playing kit ahead of their highly anticipated showdown at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, this Saturday.

The final is scheduled to kick off at exactly 4:00 p.m., following a revision of the initial programme.

Earlier in the day, Bugerere Ssaza and Butambala Ssaza will contest the classification match at 12 noon, with both sides seeking to finish the tournament in third place and secure the bronze medal.

The official handover of the final kits took place at Muteesa II Stadium, the venue for Saturday's decisive encounter. The ceremony was presided over by Masaza Cup Organising Committee Vice-Chairman Sam Mpiima during a pre-match meeting involving Mengo organising committee officials and representatives from the two finalists.

Addressing the meeting, Mpiima urged all four participating teams to observe the revised kick-off times, emphasising the need for discipline and proper time management to ensure the smooth running of the day's programme.

"I appeal to all four teams to strictly observe the scheduled kick-off times. In view of the Government's official general cleaning exercise, we have rescheduled the third-place match from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, while the final has been moved from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We therefore expect all teams to comply with the revised programme without excuses," Mpiima said.

In the build-up to the final, both finalists had been scheduled to train at the stadium to familiarise themselves with the playing surface. However, only Kyaggwe turned up for the session, while Gomba opted against training at the venue.

She said the management had instead arranged for the team to travel to Kampala on Friday and spend the night near the venue to ensure they were ready for Saturday's encounter.

"We did not have a sufficient budget to transport the team to the stadium solely for a familiarisation session. Management has therefore arranged for the players to travel to Kampala on Friday and spend the night near the venue, ensuring they are well-positioned to prepare for the final. We are confident in our readiness, and we pray that God grants us victory," Mbatidde said.

Meanwhile, Kyaggwe assistant coach William Kyeswa expressed confidence in his side's preparations but acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Gomba, a five-time champion with an established pedigree in the competition.

Kyaggwe will be seeking to overcome the experience and winning tradition of their opponents in what promises to be a fiercely contested final, with both sides eager to crown their campaigns with the prestigious Masaza Cup title.

Mpiima also confirmed that the stadium's floodlighting system was operational, providing for the possibility of extra time and a penalty shootout should the match remain undecided after regulation time.