Masaza report card: Year of Covid-19 leaves room for more

Without a doubt, this season’s Airtel Masaza Cup was the weirdest year since the tournament started in 2004. A coronavirus pandemic was only part of it.
The tournament defied the odds and the headaches of working around Covid-19 and the stringent health protocols to become only the third competition to be played in Uganda since March 2020. The others are the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and the Fufa play-offs which have majorly benefitted from direct funding from world body, Fifa.

Positives
The Masaza Cup will leave frustrations of the fans it gave away in line of fulfilling health protocols and keeping the tournament active.
“There were a lot of positives,” said Busujju head coach Frank Mulindwa in a recent interview. “Being here is a great feeling and it makes me appreciate the efforts organisers put in,” he added.

With a budget of more than Shs1.5bn, there was more than enough to have all players and officials tested for Covid-19. The organisers paid for the pricey Covid-19 tests, accommodation and feeding while individual teams were expected to take care of players’ facilitation.

With player transfers opening in April 2020, a month after the Covid-19 induced lockdowns were announced, teams were at the losing end. It was anticipated that by June the tournament could be held, something that never happened.
With the delayed kick off, teams lost key players to the Uganda Premier League and the Big League. Gomba, the tournament’s big spenders, in particular, lost more than Shs50m in players that became ineligible after joining elite clubs. Busiro and Buddu were the other big losers.
This was an opportunity though as teams uncovered more fresh talent. Mawokota, for instance, fielded 15-year-old Elvis Sekajugo, who could be the tournament’s youngest player ever. 

Busujju also had the duo of U-17 national team players; Ivan Irinimbabazi and Isa Bugembe. 
Gomba fielded 17-year-old Collin Seruwu, while Bulemeezi, too, had national U17 star Travis Mutyaba.
Frank Mulindwa, who made his debut as head coach, counted this as an opportunity to build upon.

“This tournament can help promote talent with young players getting playing time,” Mulindwa, who debuted alongside his deputy Adam Masembe, said.
Kyadondo coach Joachim Mukungu was the other newbie at the tournament after URA stopped George Lutalo from coaching at the tournament.

Challenges
There was no fanfare for what is the most attended amateur football competition in Uganda with only the national team attracting more fans. BBS TV stepped in to bridge the gap with live broadcasts until they were affected by the internet shutdown during the Presidential elections.
All 18 Masaza Cup teams rely on the goodwill of politicians but without numbers that meant losing money.

Other challenges were expected when organisers licenced only 16 players for each team. Ssingo, in particular, ended up forfeiting a game against Butambala which aborted in the 55th minute. 
Ssingo, who had started the game with nine players, after a mini-revolt that rocked the camp ahead of the match, suffered three injuries forcing the referee to end the match.

“Under the circumstances, we needed more players than reduced squads,” Richard Malinga, the head coach of Mawokota, suggested.
Although refereeing complaints were minimal this season, accommodation was the elephant in the room. The facility at Njeru is equipped with only 98 beds, which forced organisers to rent a nearby guest house to cater for some officials including referees.

Like Wednesday’s technical meeting highlighted, the cash prize needs to be increased. A winner is awarded Shs5m.
“This is something we are seriously considering but with Covid-19 it was so hard to consider any increments,” Sam Mpiima, the camp head, said.

Airtel Masaza Cup
Semifinal results
Bulemeezi     0-1     Buddu
Busiro     0-0     Gomba (Pen 4-5)
Finals | Date TBC
Gomba     vs.    Buddu
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