Debutants Gulu shine at Blind Football gala

It was Gulu Cyclones' first time in the National Blind Football Gala but Jimmy Patrick Okello's side took Kampala-based teams by storm, winning three and losing one of their four games at the French International School in Lugogo, Saturday. 

Emmanuel Watmon, a.k.a Palester, was the star of the day, smashing an enviable 14 goals in just four games, averaging nearly four goals per game, far superior to Rashid Ssemakula, who scored all the six for second-placed Red Angels. 

Their first game was a 6-0 rout of Makerere University-based Strong Spirits, Watmon scoring all the goals, sending shockwaves into their next opponents. 

Ssemakula's quick double gave the Red Angels a 2-0 lead but Watmon responded with five goals to aid Gulu's 5-2 fight back.

"That was the hardest game for us. We struggled a bit when we were 2-0 down. But my boys fought back to win," Okello told Daily Monitor post-match. 

Next, Gulu defeated Soroti 3-2, two goals by Watmon and another by Brian Odong, while Ashraf Kagimu scored both for Soroti. 

Gulu lost to Kyambogo 2-1, thanks to Rogers Ojok's goals and Nalugoda Kizito's assists that reduced Watmon's strike to a mere consolation. But still Gulu sat pretty atop the table with nine points and an outstanding goal difference.

The Red Angels, on six points, had to beat Soroti with a crazy goal difference to overthrow Gulu. Instead, they drew 0-0 to finish with seven points. 

Kyambogo came third on five points, Strong Spirits fourth on four points while Soroti finished fifth on just a point from a draw and three losses.

Muzafaru Jagwe, the founding chairman of Blind Football Uganda, who moved heaven and earth to ensure the calendar-ending gala happens, commended Gulu for their commitment to training. 

"Gulu was the first upcountry team we introduced and since then they have been consistently training, at least once a week, unlike their opponents," Jagwe told Daily Monitor. 

"Their skills and fitness showed on the pitch, while other teams, who train just ahead of a tournament, struggled to maintain the endurance in many games."

Gulu head coach Okello corroborated his team's commitment, amid wanting circumstances. "At first we were scared of these teams who are more experienced than us. But our training paid off. We have never played on such a pitch," Okello, said referring to the artificial turf at the French School. 

"We hope that this victory will convince the authorities in Gulu to give us some support to develop this sport more. We need to train on better pitches."

FINAL STANDINGS
Gulu Cyclones 9 points
Red Angeles 7 points
Kyambogo 5 points 
Strong Spirits 4 points 
Soroti 1 point