Muteesa I Royal University makes history, faces Bugema in UFL quarterfinals

Pepsi University Football League

Quarterfinals

Today, 4pm

Muteesa v Bugema

Live on Bukedde TV2/Wan Luo

Muteesa I Royal University has taken the Pepsi University Football League by storm in their debut season, achieving a historic feat by becoming the first team to advance from the group stage to the quarterfinals in their maiden campaign.

The Masaka City-based institution defied all odds to top Group F, which included two-time champions Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).

Muteesa’s remarkable journey saw them secure three victories, including home and away wins against MUST and MUBS, finishing the group stage with nine points. Their only defeat came in a narrow 1-0 loss to MUBS in Nakawa, courtesy of a controversial late penalty.

Today, Muteesa faces one of the tournament’s favorites, Bugema University, in the first leg of their quarterfinal clash at Kirumba Grounds in Masaka City.

Head coach George William Ssengabi has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure a positive result. He highlighted the advantages of adequate rest, home support, and the underdog tag, which he believes shifts the pressure onto Bugema.

“We are feeling great and ready for the game. The players have had ample recovery time since our last match against MUST. We have already surpassed our initial goal of reaching the quarterfinals, which is an achievement in itself. However, we see a real opportunity to progress to the semifinals, and we will fight for it,” Ssengabi said.

Muteesa’s passionate home crowd, which has consistently filled Kirumba Grounds during their matches, is expected to create an electrifying atmosphere. Fans from Katwe, Ssaza, Butego, Nyendo, and Masaka City Centre are likely to rally behind their team in full force.

Key players for Muteesa include Eddie Jjunju, Ali Lutwama, Patrick Busuulwa, Nicholas Ssenyonjo, and Geoffrey Sserugo, who will be instrumental in their quest for victory.

On the other side, Bugema University, led by experienced coach Medhi Nyanzi, is determined to break their quarterfinal curse. Despite reaching this stage in the last four seasons, Bugema has consistently fallen short of advancing further. Nyanzi is now focused on guiding his team to the semifinals for the first time since 2019, with the ultimate goal of lifting the trophy.

“We had a strong group stage performance. This season, we are determined to go beyond the quarterfinals, and I strongly believe we will achieve it. Our target is to win the competition,” Nyanzi declared.

Bugema topped Group D with 13 points and has shown resilience in away matches, which could prove advantageous as they face Muteesa on their home turf. Key players for Bugema include Sulaiman Ssentongo, Arthur Jjombwe, Denis Kimuli, and Eric Sawa, whose performances will be crucial in securing a favorable result ahead of the second leg next week.

As the two teams prepare for this high-stakes encounter, Muteesa’s historic run and Bugema’s quest for redemption promise an exciting and fiercely contested match.