Masaza Cup: Buddu beat Gomba to clinch title

MASAZA CUP FINAL

Gomba 1 (5) Buddu 1 (6)

3rd place play-off

Busujju 1 (4) Kyaggwe 1 (3)

Buddu County needed an equalizer and post-match penalties to win their maiden trophy in the Masaza Cup tournament that concluded on Saturday after they overcame Gomba at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

Buddu won 6-5 in the shootout after both sides had settled for a 1-1 all draw in normal time.

It was a great relief for the victors who suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Ssingo in the final of the 2015 edition before the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, who again presided over Saturday's final.

Buddu's John Musasizi converted his penalty in the sudden death shootout but Mikidadi Ssennyonga struck his chance over the bar to spur jubilations from the multitude of Buddu fans who included the Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Buganda's Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.

Featuring for Ssingo then, Ssennyonga missed his penalty in the 2014 final as Gomba lifted the trophy at Wankulukuku.

The Kabaka handed over medals to both teams that played the final and the winner's trophy to Buddu Shakidu Mbaziira.

Playing in their seventh final and in the hunt of a fourth crown since the tournament was revived in 2004, Gomba dictated terms on the pitch and deservedly took the lead when Lawrence Sonko headed in Ssennyonga's corner after 20 minutes.

Sensing danger, Buddu took the initiative and on 31 minutes, Robert Mukonghotya leveled matters as the stadium erupted into an uproar.

The second half was a see-saw affair but with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Gomba goalkeeper Joseph Iga was called on twice to parry away efforts by Huzaifa Musa and Mukongotya in a space of five minutes, while on the other end Ssennyonga and Nicholas Kabonge kept the Buddu defence on their toes.

The heavy security presence was overwhelmed by fans who jumped from the stands onto the playing arena as they celebrated. It became very difficult to conduct post-match interviews with officials.

The winners walked away with sh17m (sh7m courtesy of Samona Products) as Gomba received sh8m. Third-placed Busujju received a cheque of sh5m while Kyaggwe left Namboole sh3m richer.