Nkumba start beach soccer title defence with intent

Somoka scored a hat-trick for Nkumba at the weekend. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA

KAMPALA- Even after losing five players; Douglas Muganga, Allan Katwe Allan Zirimenya, Faisal Muwawu and Yunus Kaddu that helped them lift the Pepsi National Beach Soccer title last season, Nkumba Select still look like the team to beat this season.

After the 8-3 whipping of disillusioned Dalumba International on Sunday at Sports Beach Entebbe, Nkumba manager Issa Assimwe declared another title-promising season. “When I look at the players I have in the team now like Roch Somoka, Meddie Kibirige, Jesse Lukobi, Emma Wasswa, Patrick Ssenteza, Joseph Yiga and David Awori, I see an indispensable side. Getting an opening win over Dalumba confirms our ability to retain the title,” Assimwe told Daily Monitor.

Missing key players
Dalumba manager Richard Nathan blamed the loss on the absence of his key players Richard Mulondo and Henry Wasajja, who chose to play for Balangira in the Bika tourney yet expensive signing Swaibu Kakwaya had not yet got his playing license.

Moses Aspa (1) Somoka (3), Emma Wasswa (2) and Awori (2) scored for the defending champions while Hamis Kafeero (1), Rica Byaruhanga (1) and Musa Mukiibi (1) netted for hapless Dalumba in the one-sided Hurriken Group match. Monsoon Group registered two walkovers as Real Galaticos failed to show up for their game against St Lawrence University (SLAU) and Stormers reported an hour late for their scheduled tie against Kampala International University (KIU).

Weekend results
Monsoon Group
SLAU 3-0 Galacticos (W/over)
KIU 3-0 Stomers (walkover)
Mengo 2-7 Kayunga
MS Lions 7-8 Kabalagala
Hurriken Group
Talented 1-6 YMCA
Dalumba 3-8 Nkumba
Bwanika 0-5 Muteesa