Epic climax of Drum quarters

Derby winners. Bugisu players celebrate one of their four goals against Busoga. COURTESY PHOTO.

What you need to know:

  • The quarter finals climax on Thursday when already eliminated Buganda will be playing for pride against Tooro at the Akii Bua stadium in Lira. At the Pece War Memorial Stadium, hosts Acholi seek only a point to qualify for the semi-finals when they entertain already qualified Bukedi.

There are three assured semi-finalists of the 2019 FUFA Drum tournament coming to the last match day of the newly designed quarter final format today (Thursday).

Lango, Bukedi, West Nile are already through to the last four stage of the competition whose theme spells in bold “Celebrating Our Ancestry”. Yesterday (Wednesday), Bugisu joined the two earlier semi-finalists Lango and Bukedi following a comprehensive 4-3 victory over fellow eastern region province, Busoga during the seven-goal thrilling derby.

Bakali Magunda and a brace from Richard Wandyaka (including a penalty) were on target for Charles Ayiekoh’s coached Busoga Province.

Raymond Onyai, Steven Makumba (brace) and a penalty by SC Villa striker Ronald Magwali gave Bugisu the deserved victory as their excited traveling fans perfected the famous Imbalu dance amidst loud celebrations.
Bugisu qualified with six points, same as Lango as Busoga and West Nile went out crashing.

“The players showed a great degree of determination, coming from down to win the game. We showed character and I call for the same spirit when we play the semi-finals” the excited Bugisu head coach Godfrey “Toldo” Awachango remarked.

Two goal hero Makumba who netted a late goal in added time was named man of the match. Away at the new Akii Bua Stadium in Lira, hosts Lango lost their first game in the new format of the quarters falling to West Nile.
Fred Amaku, Rashid Agau and Vitalis Tabu were on target for Ramathan Dudu’s coached West Nile. Fahad Badiro netted the consolation for Lango. West Nile forward Tabu was man of the match.

The quarter finals climax on Thursday when already eliminated Buganda will be playing for pride against Tooro at the Akii Bua stadium in Lira. At the Pece War Memorial Stadium, hosts Acholi seek only a point to qualify for the semi-finals when they entertain already qualified Bukedi.

Schedule
Rest Day: Friday, December, 6
Semi-finals: Saturday & Sunday
Rest Day: Monday, December, 9
Final: Tuesday December, 10

PLAYING TODAY
Acholi vs Bukedi, Pece War Memorial Stadium, Gulu (4:00pm)
Buganda vs Tooro, Akii Bua Stadium, Lira (4:00pm)