Fans dance with CECAFA cup joy
Jan 13, 2009
IT was one of those rare occasions where Ugandans passionately cheered their national soccer side in unison from the first minute to the final whistle.
By James Bakama
IT was one of those rare occasions where Ugandans passionately cheered their national soccer side in unison from the first minute to the final whistle.
The ecstatic fans were rewarded with a tenth Challenge Cup title and also Uganda's first victory over Kenya in a CECAFA final.
Thousands of people lined sections of the Kampala-Jinja highway to salute the Cranes. In Banda, the Bakisimba and Nankasa Dance group lit up the night.
After the Namboole award ceremony several chanting fans toasted to the victory with rounds of beer in neighbouring Bweyogerere and Kireka bars.
As Namboole rocked in celebrations, a small pocket of Kenyans, who had noisily stormed the stadium, looked on in shock as Bobby Williamson’s boys tore Harambee Stars to shreds.
Cranes’ goalkeeper Abbey Dhaira further coloured up the day with his juggling antics to the anguish of the Kenyans.
It was also an opportune moment to exorcise the painful memories of the 1982 final where Uganda was edged to the trophy by Kenya.
“It’s sweet revenge,†said former goalkeeper Paul Ssali.
IT was one of those rare occasions where Ugandans passionately cheered their national soccer side in unison from the first minute to the final whistle.
The ecstatic fans were rewarded with a tenth Challenge Cup title and also Uganda's first victory over Kenya in a CECAFA final.
Thousands of people lined sections of the Kampala-Jinja highway to salute the Cranes. In Banda, the Bakisimba and Nankasa Dance group lit up the night.
After the Namboole award ceremony several chanting fans toasted to the victory with rounds of beer in neighbouring Bweyogerere and Kireka bars.
As Namboole rocked in celebrations, a small pocket of Kenyans, who had noisily stormed the stadium, looked on in shock as Bobby Williamson’s boys tore Harambee Stars to shreds.
Cranes’ goalkeeper Abbey Dhaira further coloured up the day with his juggling antics to the anguish of the Kenyans.
It was also an opportune moment to exorcise the painful memories of the 1982 final where Uganda was edged to the trophy by Kenya.
“It’s sweet revenge,†said former goalkeeper Paul Ssali.