Bukedi, Acholi face off in Drum final

Man to watch. Bukedi’s Nsimbe celebrates his goal against Lango on Sunday. COURTSEY OF FUFA.

No one expected the second edition of the Fufa Drum tourney to end this way. Not even Acholi or Bukedi, the two teams set to tussle it out in today’s final at Akii Bua Stadium in Lira.

As the final stage of the provincial tourney progressed with reigning champions Buganda, favourites West Nile and Busoga falling sideways, it became apparent the most organised, tactically aware and robust teams would make the final.

Those attributes have been shared between pre-tourney underdogs Acholi and dark horses Bukedi which makes the final more random.
For holding their nerves and ejecting home province Lango, Abbey Kikomeko’s Bukedi has showed that everything is possible and will once again rely on the services of David Owori, Ibra Nsimbe, Aaron Okoth and Fredson Gwoto to tame Acholi.

“We have been determined all the way. I want to thank the fans and players. We have one match to play and we shall give it 100 percent,” said Kikomeko. Bukedi ejected Lango 1-0 on Sunday in the semis while Acholi overcame Bugisu by the same score-line to storm the finals for the first time.

Acholi coach Geofrey Akena will expect the 12th player - fans - to give his boys the necessary push whilst hoping Hudu Mulikyi, Isaac Otto and Tito Okello to repeat the semifinal heroics. Whereas the winner will pocket Shs30m, the losing finalist will bag Shs15m and each of the losing quarter finalists will bank Shs5m.

Fufa Drum Tournament
Finals, today
Acholi vs Bukedi, 4pm
Akiibua Stadium-Lira