Seven former champions sent packing as Masaza Cup enters knockouts
Qualification went down to the wire, with most teams having to wait until the final round of group matches to secure their places in the knockout stages.
(Credit: Gerald Kukulwe)
________________
The 2026 Masaza Cup group stages concluded on August 30, with several former champions suffering early exits as the eight quarter-finalists were confirmed.
Qualification went down to the wire, with most teams having to wait until the final round of group matches to secure their places in the knockout stages.
The 10th and final matchday featured all nine fixtures played simultaneously across the three groups, Muganzirwazza, Bulange and Masengere, ensuring a tense finish to the group phase.
When the final whistles were blown, several big names had been eliminated from the prestigious competition.
Defending champions Buweekula were among the biggest casualties, alongside two-time champions Ssingo, who lifted the trophy in 2015 and 2018. Three-time winners Mawokota, champions in 2005, 2007 and 2013, also failed to make the cut.
Other former champions to bow out included Bulemeezi, winners in 2012, 2019 and 2023; Busiro, champions in 2022; Buluuli, who won the title in 2011; and Kooki, champions in 2006.
Buvuma, Ssese and Kabula also saw their campaigns come to an end at the group stage.
For some teams, the final matchday brought particularly painful disappointment, with Ssese and Mawokota among those who saw their quarter-final hopes slip away at the final hurdle.
Ssese went into their final group match with 14 points and knew that victory over already-qualified Kyaggwe would significantly boost their chances of reaching the quarter-finals. However, Kyaggwe showed little willingness to ease off despite having already secured their place in the knockout stage, edging Ssese 1-0 in Mukono to bring their opponents' campaign to an end.
However, their hopes were emphatically dashed as Gomba produced a commanding performance to secure a 3-1 victory. The defeat left the former champions out of the competition and brought a disappointing end to their campaign.
Under the tournament's qualification regulations, the top two teams in each of the three groups automatically qualify for the quarter-finals.
Kyaggwe emerged as the outstanding team in the Masengere Group, finishing top with an impressive 23 points. They were followed by Gomba, who accumulated 19 points.
In the Muganzirwazza Group, Butambala finished at the summit with 18 points, narrowly ahead of Mawogola, who also finished on 18 points.
Buddu topped the Bulange Group with 19 points, while Kyaddondo secured the second automatic qualification spot with 17 points.
The final two quarter-final places were decided through the tournament's provision for the two best third-placed teams across the three groups to advance, based on their points tally.
Bugerere took advantage of the rule after collecting 17 points in the Muganzirwazza Group, while Busujju, also on 17 points, secured the other remaining quarter-final berth from the Bulange Group.
The results have set up an intriguing quarter-final stage, with the first legs scheduled for the weekend of September 13.
Kyaggwe will face Mawogola, while Buddu will take on Gomba. Butambala will meet Busujju, with Bugerere drawn against Kyaddondo in the fourth quarter-final tie.
Results
Kyaggwe 1 Ssese 0
Gomba 3 Mawokota 1
Bulemeezi 5 Busiro 1
Buvuma 0 Buddu 0
Buluuli 1 Kyaddondo 1
Busujju 3 Buweekula 1
Kabula 0 Ssingo 3
Kooki 0 Bugerere 2
Mawogola 3 Butambala 2