St. Lawrence University won the second edition of the UBSA super four beach soccer tournament with a 10-7 victory over Buganda Royal at Mutoola resort beach.
Sand Cranes star – Baker Lukooya struck four times in the final, including a worldie to lift his side from two goals down to beat Buganda Royal in a thrilling final on Sunday.
MUBS did not show up to defend their title they won in the inaugural edition to allow Buganda Royal set up the final with SLAU who defeated KIU 13-7 in the first knock out match of this year’s competition.
The reigning Fufa beach soccer league champions, coming against a familiar foe who they comfortably beat in last season’s league final, had a false start to the game and they struggled to burry in their chances in the opening moments of the contest but they grew into the game as the clock ticked.
Buganda Royal soon took the lead through Dasan Mubiru who immediately doubled his side’s lead before Lukooya pulled one back for St.Lawrence. Paul Kato ensured Buganda Royal’s two goal cushion was restored with a cool finish but they failed to close the gates as Sulaiman Ochero scored two quick fire goals to tie the first period 3-3.
Just a few minutes into the second period, Lukooya put his awesome skills on display and left fans grinning from ear to ear when he scored a beauty for his team from a tight angle near the corner flag with an overhead kick, and the stylish forward added two more before Junior Mukunzi and Dasan Mubiru reduced St Lawrence’s advantage to one goal.
At 6-5, it looked like a mission possible for Buganda Royal – however, Jonathan Kikonyogo and Faruku Ssemukutu scotched their hope of any potential come back, each with a goal to stretch the lead for their side.
Despite being three goals down, Buganda Royal remained resilient and continued to put Davis Nnono’s side under pressure in the third period. They threatened to level the matters again when Mukunzi and Paul Lule found the net to reduce their goal deficit to one but Joshua Lubwama and Ochero stepped up to seal the win for their side.
St. Lawrence, making their second appearance in the final of the super four on the trot, became the second team to win the tournament following MUBS’ success in 2021.
The UBSA super four tournament was a precursor to Fufa beach soccer league that kicks off the next Sunday of January 22, 2023.