Mutoola Beach Soccer Club won its first ever silverware in the game of beach soccer after winning the fourth edition of the Muwanguzi beach soccer tournament on Sunday. The Sand Giants took on St. Lawrence University in the final that ended 3-1 at FUFA technical centre in Njeru.
The win also marks the first time a team other than Stormers and St. Lawrence won the competition.
Mutoola, who had survived by just whisker in the semifinal against the off color Kampala City and had also come short at St. Lawrence in the group stage, threatened first as they approached the game with energy and physique, swarming opponents like bees until they took the lead through the crafty Steven Nyalimo.
St. Lawrence equally responded with the same tactics and hard tackling became a component of the game. The approach totally didn’t work for the two time winners however, with one of their dependables – Rica Byaruhanga getting forced out of the game with what looked a serious injury before the second period ended.
Mutoola remained on the front foot while their coach Jamal Salim Muwonge covered every particle of the sand in the technical area as he issued instructions to his men from time to time.
As a result, Paul Nsenge stretched his team’s lead with a fine finish and the Sand Giants went into the second break 2-0 up.
The contest became end to end midway the third period especially after Morris Luyima pulled one back for St. Lawrence who were desperate to drag the game to level terms.
Meanwhile, Mutoola had laid their traps well. They majestically foiled every attack from the Saints before Nyalimo watered down St. Lawrence’s hope of any potential comeback with a third goal for his team to seal the crown.
Before the final, Mutoola had engaged in a high tempo semifinal against Kampala City and required Swaibu Kakwaya’s magic to win the game 6-5. Kampala City took the lead through Ashiraf Mugumira and the forward added another goal to give his side a 2-0 lead.
However their 2-0 advantage in the first period turned false hope when Mutoola bounced with a full throttle approach after the break to throw Kampala to the trash can.
Swaibu Kakwaya came of age and ran from corner to corner, and scored a hat-trick, Steven Nyalimo grabbed a brace while Paul Nsenge completed the comeback with a winner.
Sharif Opuuli also scored a brace for Kampala City while Paul Lule also made it to the score sheet for his side but their goals were just mere consolations.
In the other semifinal, St. Lawrence outclassed Buganda Royal 6-2. Sulaiman Ochero (3), Ronald Magwali, Isaac Eshioke, and Rica Byaruhanga scored for the Saints. Buganda Royal’s two goals came through Jonathan Ddembe and James Namuyimba.
Kampala City beat Buganda Royal 7-4 in the third place play-off to win position number three.
Individual Awards
Mutoola also dominated even in the individual awards. Star man Steven Nyalimo was picked as the most valuable player (MVP), Salim Jamal Muwonge walked home with the best coach award while Siraje Masembe was the best goalkeeper.
The fair play award was won by Buganda Royal, Paul Lule of Kampala City took the top scorers award with eight goals.
Group stage results
The tournament was graced by six teams. Swans Sports Club was the only non-league side that honored the competition and at least went home with a goal scored by Habibu Zife against Buganda Royal. The teams were pooled in two groups – Nile and Katonga.
Kampala City, Buganda Royal and Swans competed in the Nile group. The Katonga group had Mutoola, Mengo Hill and St. Lawrence.
Below is how they performed at the group stage.
Mengo Hill 3-11 St Lawrence
Mutoola 4-3 Mengo Hill
Swans Sports Club 0-6 Kampala City
Kampala City 5-2 Buganda Royal
Mutoola 0-2 St. Lawrence
Buganda Royal 2-1 Swans Sports Club