On That Road To Soccer Perdition

Aug 29, 2003

HAKIM Magumba's subdued celebration after breaking the goal-scoring record in Villa's farcical 22-1 victory over Akol illustrated how much he wished his historic feat had not come under such disgraceful circumstances.

By Joseph Opio
HAKIM Magumba's subdued celebration after breaking the goal-scoring record in Villa's farcical 22-1 victory over Akol illustrated how much he wished his historic feat had not come under such disgraceful circumstances.
More precisely, the Cranes international should have hung his head in shame for his contribution to a theatrical encounter that exhibited the murky depths Ugandan football has plunged to. And so should Villa and Akol officials, players and the fans that had the misfortune to witness this mockery of the beautiful game.
Before the scandalous match at Namboole, suspicion was that the Ugandan league had lost all morality. Villa's ‘win’ confirmed that beyond reasonable doubt!
Akol players hardly showed any conviction as they played Villa; they simply went through the motions.
And make no mistake, this was the same Akol that protested violently when Express beat them only 2-1 four days earlier.
Yet as Villa romped to a 10-1 lead in the 35th minute, Akol barely made noise. Ogwal Engwendo’s consolation goal, which was calculated to add some respectability to the match, only heaped more scorn upon it.
Property Masters staked sh.50,000 per goal but they shouldn't condone such cheap drama by paying the scorers. If this been a soccer game, the real estate dealers would have been under obligation to pay. Unfortunately it wasn't!
And the parties guilty of killing Ugandan football are as numerous as they are feeble-minded.
From FUFA to the two title hopefuls Express and Villa, from NFLC to other clubs, no one should be pardoned for the degeneration of our football into a third-rate circus parade.
Dennis Obua’s administrative naivete is legendary! The soccer delegates who, against the advice of well-informed stakeholders, voted Obua into office severely underestimated the man's incompetence.
Obua has not only failed to get a foothold of control in soccer, but he has also been implicated among FUFA officials that peddle influence in exchange for monetary gain and at the expense of the integrity of their office.
So has FUFA secretary Haruna Mawanda, and Yusuf "Chuni" Kyeyune, whose exaggerated sense of importance makes him believe he is the unofficial kingmaker in Ugandan football.
Deny these charges though they might, Obua and Co. will only prove their innocence if they restore a semblance of sanity and punish Express and Villa officials who have cast the game into disrepute with impunity.
FUFA's ineptitude must have rubbed onto the NFLC, which has stood by as the NSSL forfeits its credibility.
NFLC has handled Express, so notorious for playing abortive encounters, with kid gloves. The Wankulukuku side has won favourable decisions every time their clash is abandoned — and that has been quite often.
Prudence should have told NFLC that a suspension or something firmer than a mild reprimand, would have panel-beaten Express back into line.
Express has manipulated encounters in belief that Villa does the same. And Villa vindicated them through that laughable excuse of a soccer match at Namboole.
The desperate win-at-all-costs mentality of these two clubs is primarily responsible for propagating the madness that has enveloped Ugandan soccer through match-fixing and corruption scams.
When Villa scored its tenth goal against Akol, the visitors’ custodian angrily stormed out of the goalposts in disapproval. It was the most patent form of protest against the evening’s proceedings at Namboole.
It also illustrated that because the governors of Ugandan football have let us down, only strong protest by football lovers will salvage the game. Fans should object to the regressive trend Ugandan soccer is taking by forgetting their club affiliations and uniting in their passion for football.
Villa, Express and KCC fans plus other soccer lovers should sever ties with anything as disreputable as Ugandan league football.
Without fans to consume their dirty and substandard product, football officials will be forced to reform. That remains the best and only path towards redemption. That remains my dearest and only wish!
Ends

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