UCU, YMCA battle for University League Group C lead

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Pepsi University Football League

MUST 1 MRU 2

Kabale 1 SLAU 0

Monday: UCU v YMCA (3 pm)

Tuesday: Kumi v Victoria (3 pm)

Live on Bukedde TV2 and Wan Luo TV (Tuesday and Thursday)

Kabale University's 1-0 victory over St. Lawrence University (SLAU) on Saturday at Kabale University Grounds in South Western Uganda significantly opened up Group C in the Pepsi University Football League this season.

Following this result, all four teams in this group—Kabale, SLAU, Uganda Christian University (UCU), and YMCA—each have a chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals ahead of the decisive final matches.

The lone goal of this match was scored by Michael Owanyi in the 57th minute to earn Kabale a crucial win and stay in contention for quarterfinal football.

Despite the defeat, SLAU remains at the top of the standings with seven points, level with Kabale but maintaining the lead due to a superior goal difference. UCU and YMCA follow closely, each with five points, though 2019 champions UCU hold third place due to a better goal difference.

On Tuesday, UCU and YMCA will face off at the UCU Sports Grounds in Mukono, with the winner assured of moving to the top of the group with eight points. Their last encounter in September last year ended in a goalless draw in Buwambo.

Both teams enter today’s match in contrasting form. YMCA suffered a 3-1 defeat to SLAU in Kavule, while UCU recently thrashed Kabale 6-1. Aware of the high stakes, UCU forward Harry Abiti and YMCA midfielder Ashraf Lugya have expressed determination to secure victory.

“We are determined to win because the qualification is in our hands. We are playing at home, and we know that failure to win today will reduce our chances of progressing to the quarterfinals,” said Abiti, who scored a brace in UCU’s last home game against Kabale.

“This is a crucial fixture for us. It is our last away game, and winning it will put us in a strong position before facing Kabale back home. Playing against UCU on their ground is tough, but we are determined to take all three points,” noted Lugya, who assisted David Ochwo in YMCA’s 3-1 loss to SLAU.

The final group matches next week will see SLAU hosting UCU in Kavule, while YMCA will take on Kabale in Buwambo.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Akaya Busuulwa netted a dramatic stoppage-time header to secure Muteesa I Royal University (MRU) a spot in the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Mbarara City.

This result confirmed MRU as Group F winners with nine points and eliminated any chance for competitors MUBS and MUST to catch up, even if they win their final matches.

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