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Mubs crowned UFL champions
Mubs players and team officials celebrate after receiving their trophy at Namboole Stadium on Saturday. PHOTOs BY Eddie Chicco.
What you need to know:
Aaron Adula got the goal that denied Kyambogo victory in front of a mammoth crowd at Namboole Stadium on Saturday.
KAMPALA
UNIVERSITY LEAGUE
FINAL: Kyambogo 0-1 Mubs
Third playoff result
Nkumba 2-0 KIU
Makerere University Business School (Mubs) won their first Nile special University Football League title in style as Aaron Adula scored a sensational first-half goal in a 1-0 victory over Kyambogo.
Pre-match talk was of potential complacency ruining Friday night eve to the game, given Charles Ayiekoh’s men knew they only needed to beat their rivals to lift the trophy.
It was the showdown every university student had been talking about – the league’s top two teams that play good football, winner-takes-all encounter - and it didn’t disappoint.
Mubs’ start had Kyambogo on the back foot with Roger Kateregga’s curling strike forcing a save from goalkeeper Joseph Etyang. The Kyambogo custodian, Etyang, was called on again moments later, somehow getting a hand save to Aaron Adula’s close-range shot.
Mubs were relentless to say the least, but Etyang was at his unwavering best between the Kyambogo posts, gobbling up quick-fire efforts from Musa Esemu and Derrick Wasswa. 20 minutes had passed before Kyambogo finally awoke from their slumber as Shafik Ssejemba found Herbert Galiwango, whose long range shot brought the best out of Mubs goalkeeper Eric Dhaira.
Poised on a knife edge, Mubs summoned one final show of strength in the 29th minute as right winger Esemu hit the bar efore the ball came back into play to find unmarked Adula who slots in an empty net. The goal boosted the Nakawa-based side who continued with numerous attacks throughout the game.
And with the final done and dusted, with Mubs having the last smile having secured their first title in the league, coach Ayiekoh was full of praise for his players for the spirit. “We deserved to lift the trophy because of team work and good player scouting done by our technical staff,” explained Ayiekoh.
“We always stayed focused however much we were losing but fought on till the end and it has paid off. And would like to thank my players for the spirit exhibited.”
Kyambogo coach Deo Sserwada blamed his team’s defeat on injuries and exams which he said made his players miss training for most of the time. Meanwhile, Nkumba finished second runners up after edging Kampala International University (KIU) 2-0 in the third playoff game that saw Martin Sseruwagi score a brace.
Mubs bagged Shs2.5m, Kyambogo Shs1.5m while Nkumba got Shs1m.
