UGLY & NASTY
Jun 08, 2003
AN historic 45,000 crowd made Namboole to bear witness to the most scandalous international match.
BY MARK NAMANYA
Uganda 0 Rwanda 1
AN historic 45,000 crowd made Namboole to bear witness to the most scandalous international match.
In truth, fans, from as far as Rakai and Mbale, were treated to a raw deal that lasted no less than a nasty 200 minutes.
The sh245m is sure to be a record for some years because Saturday’s disappointment means the chances of drawing another huge crowd are not imminent.
Uganda, in an unfamiliar 4-4-1-1 system, enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, with Abubaker Tabula and Meddie Nsubuga lively.
Sulaiman Tenywa’s scissor kick was cleared off the line in the 4th minute and a solo run from Tabula was denied by the woodwork.
Coach Pedro Pasculli preferred to play Hakim Magumba in the hole, just behind Ekuchu Kasongo and dropped Hassan Mubiru to the bench.
Magumba struggled to link with Kasongo against a well-coordinated defence led by man of the match Claude Kalisa.
Olivier Karekezi was a handful for Godfrey Kateregga with intelligence movement and ball distribution.
Amavubi keeper Mohammed Mossi started his psychological warfare by checking on his juju inside his net.
But it wasn’t until a security guard clandestinely picked the juju, which comprised of black powder in a cloth, that catastrophe set in.
Mossi, a skilled and flamboyant character, left goal to kick advertising billboards in search for his ‘heart and soul.’ He clashed with the shameless and bold FUFA official Crispus Muyinda, who put his credibility at risk by joining the madness.
Just about everyone on the turf got involved.
Tabula captained the witchcraft warfare and was quickly joined by Godfrey Kateregga, Elias Ntaganda, Jean Prince Manamana and Jimmy Gatete.
Cranes team manager Sam Kabugo, substitutes Philip Obwiny and David Obua were also in the thick of the violence.
Gatete’s retaliation was uncalled for and he got his comeuppance with a cut on his head.
FUFA boss Denis Obua had, by now, become a major player in the proceedings, trying to restore order.
When both sides agreed to resume after half an hour, Rwanda were clearly the benefactors.
Cranes, probably having consumed most of their energy fighting witchcraft, paid dear as the Amavubi swiftly reorganised their charges.
But contrary to most people’s wishes and expectations that play would go uninterrupted, Tabula restarted terror that culminated in the tearing of his vest.
Tabula ran the whole length of the pitch, like a 7-year-old going to report a misdemeanour to his parents, in Obua’s direction.
Chanting fans applauded Tabula’s nonsensical efforts giving the midfielder an impression that he was doing his nation proud. Referee Alemu Gizate was not in control either. In fact, he was a total mess and does not deserve officiating another match of such magnitude.
Automatic red cards to Tabula, Mossi and Gatete were ignored.
Ultimately, it was Peter Rwebuga’s mistake and Kateregga’s nervous defending that created the goal.
Rwebuga was out of position when Desire Mbonabucya received the ball. Tenywa abandoned his duties to cover for Rwebuga leaving Gatete free in the box.
Kateregga’s intended clearance only helped Gatete score for Rwanda past a helpless Posnet Omwony to leave Ugandans numb. Ends
Uganda 0 Rwanda 1
AN historic 45,000 crowd made Namboole to bear witness to the most scandalous international match.
In truth, fans, from as far as Rakai and Mbale, were treated to a raw deal that lasted no less than a nasty 200 minutes.
The sh245m is sure to be a record for some years because Saturday’s disappointment means the chances of drawing another huge crowd are not imminent.
Uganda, in an unfamiliar 4-4-1-1 system, enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, with Abubaker Tabula and Meddie Nsubuga lively.
Sulaiman Tenywa’s scissor kick was cleared off the line in the 4th minute and a solo run from Tabula was denied by the woodwork.
Coach Pedro Pasculli preferred to play Hakim Magumba in the hole, just behind Ekuchu Kasongo and dropped Hassan Mubiru to the bench.
Magumba struggled to link with Kasongo against a well-coordinated defence led by man of the match Claude Kalisa.
Olivier Karekezi was a handful for Godfrey Kateregga with intelligence movement and ball distribution.
Amavubi keeper Mohammed Mossi started his psychological warfare by checking on his juju inside his net.
But it wasn’t until a security guard clandestinely picked the juju, which comprised of black powder in a cloth, that catastrophe set in.
Mossi, a skilled and flamboyant character, left goal to kick advertising billboards in search for his ‘heart and soul.’ He clashed with the shameless and bold FUFA official Crispus Muyinda, who put his credibility at risk by joining the madness.
Just about everyone on the turf got involved.
Tabula captained the witchcraft warfare and was quickly joined by Godfrey Kateregga, Elias Ntaganda, Jean Prince Manamana and Jimmy Gatete.
Cranes team manager Sam Kabugo, substitutes Philip Obwiny and David Obua were also in the thick of the violence.
Gatete’s retaliation was uncalled for and he got his comeuppance with a cut on his head.
FUFA boss Denis Obua had, by now, become a major player in the proceedings, trying to restore order.
When both sides agreed to resume after half an hour, Rwanda were clearly the benefactors.
Cranes, probably having consumed most of their energy fighting witchcraft, paid dear as the Amavubi swiftly reorganised their charges.
But contrary to most people’s wishes and expectations that play would go uninterrupted, Tabula restarted terror that culminated in the tearing of his vest.
Tabula ran the whole length of the pitch, like a 7-year-old going to report a misdemeanour to his parents, in Obua’s direction.
Chanting fans applauded Tabula’s nonsensical efforts giving the midfielder an impression that he was doing his nation proud. Referee Alemu Gizate was not in control either. In fact, he was a total mess and does not deserve officiating another match of such magnitude.
Automatic red cards to Tabula, Mossi and Gatete were ignored.
Ultimately, it was Peter Rwebuga’s mistake and Kateregga’s nervous defending that created the goal.
Rwebuga was out of position when Desire Mbonabucya received the ball. Tenywa abandoned his duties to cover for Rwebuga leaving Gatete free in the box.
Kateregga’s intended clearance only helped Gatete score for Rwanda past a helpless Posnet Omwony to leave Ugandans numb. Ends