It is eight (8) days to the Muwanguzi beach soccer tournament but we are already sniffing the aura and excitement it is going to deliver.
The tournament has a reputation for being competitive and entertaining due to the relatively level playing field among its competitors.
This year, the fourth edition of the competition is going to be fierce.
Of the twelve (12) teams set to feature on 12th May at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, only two are non-league sides.
In fact, only Swans Sports Club from Entebbe and Buliisa Sand Dragons BSC from Buliisa district are the outsiders but the rest are plying trade in the FUFA beach soccer league.
St. Lawrence BSC are the current cup holders, and given the fact that they have dominated the league for the last four seasons, other clubs see Muwanguzi as a viable option to win a silverware. This means teams give their all in the quest for glory.
List of teams:
Kampala City, St. Lawrence University, Buganda Royal Institute, Kampala Junior Team (KJT), Wolves, Mutoola, Grace Church, MS Sand Lions, Kiringente, Mengo Hill, Swans Sports Club and Buliisa Sand Dragons.
Muwanguzi Memorial Beach Soccer Tournament is back this year following a four-year lull. The fourth edition was confirmed in a stakeholders meeting recently and will be played on Sunday 14th April and Sunday 12th May 2024 at FUFA technical centre beach soccer arena in Njeru. The last edition of the tournament was held in 2019.
It was started in 2017 and St. Lawrence University are the record winners with two titles having won the previous two editions of the showpiece in 2018 and 2019. Stormers BSC were the inaugural winners in 2017.
The competition is the main beach soccer cup tournament in Uganda and open to even non-league teams. It was named Muwanguzi memorial beach soccer tournament in memory of the late Samson Muwanguzi, one of the founders of the game of beach soccer in the country.
Beach soccer enthusiasts are in for a thrilling Sunday featuring headline duels involving Kampala City, Mutoola, Buganda Royal and defending champions St. Lawrence University. With Kampala City’s latest triumph over Buganda Royal setting the stage, St. Lawrence’s quest to trim the Ab’emikwano’s lead sees them facing off in a block buster clash this Sunday at FUFA technical centre in Njeru.
Having missed the previous two outings, St. Lawrence, who are also the record league champions with five titles, will dominate the outing in terms of appearances as they also have to play their rescheduled matches against eternal rivals Buganda Royal and Mutoola, with all the ties having more than just bragging rights at stake.
Clash of the Titans: Kampala City Vs St. Lawrence
A tactical chess match awaits as Ivan Kulika’s men aim to protect their perfect winning record in the league. Kampala City may be rookies here but have started their maiden season with a bang.
Boasting with seasoned men on the sand, including former and current national team players – Douglas Muganga, Paul Lule, Paul Kato, Shaka Ssozi and the gigantic Nicholas Mwere, they remain the only side yet to drop a point this term as they have collected a maximum of 24 points from the eight games played to sit on top of the pile.
Davis Nnono’s St. Lawrence must shore up their ranks to withstand Kampala’s onslaught. The Ab’emikwano have a strong attacking nerve and their attacking fire power can demolish any defense. SLAU’s response will hinge on a disciplined defensive strategy to thwart Kampala City’s potent attack, and also hope that their marksmen Baker Lukooya, Brian Nkuubi and Ronald Magwali hit the net at the opposite end.
Buganda Royal Vs St. Lawrence
It’s the battle that will open the promising outing packed with beach soccer drama. Buganda Royal will look to extend their impressive run of form. The Abambowa, fuelled by recent victories, are eager to solidify their claim for a top four place but must be at their best or should even seek divine intervention to quieten a star decorated SLAU. The reigning champions, with their eyes on the top spot, are expected to display their might against this youthful side that has defied expectations so far.
St. Lawrence Vs Mutoola
FUFA technical centre beach soccer arena will buzz again as Mutoola flex muscles with the Saints in a sparkling encounter.
Mutoola, struggling to find their footing this season, face a must—win scenario to maintain their chase for a top four status. Ensnared in arguably a perilous form, they find themselves at crossroads where every point could be the difference between a top four spot and despair even though it’s still early. They need to win this one to rekindle their hope and confidence.
Rounding off the day, MS Sand Lions will play Wolves; Mutoola will be against Grace Church while Buganda Royal will close their first round business against Wolves.
Far from their former selves, Mutoola BSC produced yet another horrible show, this time retreating home with the heads in their hands after losing two vital games on Sunday.
A season in which they have already been shy of their known high standards but scrapping unconvincing wins against nerveless opponents, Mutoola plumbed new depths as they miserably slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Kampala City and a 2-1 loss against Buganda Royal at FUFA technical centre in Njeru. It condemned the Sand Giants to their first defeats this campaign, they had never lost a game before Sunday albeit nearly being awful in the previous outings.
Although Steven Nyalimo scored for them, Paul Lule’s double and a goal each from Fredrick Ngalo and Paul Kato for Kampala City set the Sand Giants’ whipping session in motion, which opened the door for Buganda Royal to also have Salim Muwonge’s men for a meal.
It looked like a fluke when Solomon Zziwa drove Buganda Royal infront in the second period because by this time, Mutoola had missed chance after chance and had been favorites to find the first goal in the game before Zziwa shook the table.
Simon Peter Kijjo finally found his scoring feet when he scored the equalizer for his side, and a sigh of relief reigned in the dugout.
And as the game progressed, both teams looked contented to walk home with a point each. However, Mutoola’s hearts would be torn into pieces in the closing minutes of the game. Solomon Zziwa who had thrown the first jab, showed up again with the winner for Buganda Royal with just five seconds left on the clock to leave Mutoola wailing.
Kampala City reigned supreme in their second game as well, beating Kampala Junior Team (KJT) 5-3 to go back to the top of the tree with 21 points after seven games. Paul Kato struck a brace as Paul Lule, Ambrose Kigozi and Hussein Ssajjabbi scored to rescue their side from the claws of a hard fighting KJT. Jordan Ajuna (2) and Ashiraf Mugumira netted for the latter.
KJT however compensated the loss with a 6-1 win over strugglers Grace Church, their second victory of the season. Ashiraf Mugumira was the tormentor in chief, he scored four goals. Jordan Ajuna grabbed a brace while Jonah Munaai scored for Grace Church the only goal they managed in the game.
The happiest on the day were perhaps Kiringente who climbed from the base of the table to the sixth place following the 4-3 and 6-1wins against Mengo Hill and Grace Church respectively. Junior Kagezi scored a combined five goals, with a hat-trick coming in his team’s slim triumph over Mengo Hill. Marvin Mugerwa who scored three goals across the games had two against the church boys. The 6-1victory was then sealed by Hamuza Ssenoga’s strike and an own goal from Jonah Munaai.
Brazil goals: Rodrigo (3), Bruno Xavier, Genovali OG, Brendo Italy goals: Fazzini (2), Genovali (2) Player of the Match: Rodrigo
Photo credit: FIFA
Brazil dazzled in a 6-4 win over Italy in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup final on Sunday, with Rodrigo delivering a breathtaking display.
The phenomenal Rodrigo propelled Brazil to a comeback victory over Italy in the UAE 2024 Dubai final. The sport’s recently-crowned Best Men’s Player hit a hat-trick, produced some mind-blowing moves, including an elastic pass, and was responsible for Leandro Casapieri’s red card.
The result made the Seleção of the sand the first six-time world champions in beach soccer, futsal or football. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Marco Octavio’s men. Gianmarco Genovali’s cushioned volley gave Italy the lead, and Casapieri preserved it with an awe-inspiring denial of Rodrigo.
Brazil goalkeeper Bobo pulled off a stunning stop of his own, before Catarino and Mauricinho combined excellently to set up Rodrigo for the equalizer. Midway through the second period, the alert Rodrigo capitalized upon a weak back-pass and rounded Casapieri, who felled the Brazil No9 and was sent off.
His replacement Andrea Carpita made two fine saves, and Josep Jr somehow hooked the ball off the line, before the South Americans made their numerical advantage count through a Rodrigo bicycle kick.
The never-say-die attitude of Italy showed itself once again, though, with Tommaso Fazzini equalising. Thereafter, however, Brazil were simply too hot to handle. Bruno Xavier’s glorious goal, Brendo’s spectacular effort and Rodrigo’s third of the game powered them to an unforgettable victory.
Information from fifa.com was used in this report.
Ref Kennedy Kawagga (left) receiving his equipments from the FUFA president
Four FIFA certified beach soccer referees have received their badges and equipments for the year of 2024.
The approved referees included; Ivan Kintu Bayige, Muhammad Ssenteza, Kennedy Bazirio Kawagga and Joel Chote Munyendoh.
These were awarded badges at the function presided over by FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo at FUFA Complex in Mengo, Kampala on Tuesday 30th January.
Bayige and Ssenteza have been at the FIFA standard since 2015, Kawagga received his first FIFA listing in 2019 while Munyendoh received his first international badge in 2022.
It has been a very interesting start to the 2023/24 FUFA beach soccer league, and no sooner are we over the thrills of the second outing than we are into another full set of exciting fixtures this Sunday of 28th January at FUFA technical centre in Njeru.
Kampala City currently top the pile with three wins from three, defending champions St. Lawrence are not far from their heels, MS Sand Lions, Mutoola and Buganda Royal have maintained the chase, the latter with some serious questions to answer.
Current table standings
Ivan Kulika’s high flying Kampala City should make it four wins in as many games when they face fellow rookies Mengo Hill in what is expected to be a lopsided affair. Led by experienced guards Paul Lule, Paul Kato and Douglas Muganga, Kampala City has fashioned three wins with ease, with 12 points and a goal difference of 23 tagged to them, and will be aiming to add to their impressive goal tally this season.
Should they wield the sword they unleashed against Grace Church and Wolves, Mengo Hill will be in for a baptism of fire. The youthful side has lost all its three matches so far and has conceded a disappointing 22 goals at this stage of the season.
Their Sunday fixtures all look to be unforgiving anyway as they also have to face Mutoola BSC. The Sand Giants (Mutoola) virtually see this tie as very much winnable and a morale booster given that they have the stubborn MS Sand Lions on schedule as well. Salim Muwonge’s men have been unconvincing but have labored to craft two victories in their two games played, and they have the chance to level points with leaders Kampala City and SLAU if they can take all the six points match day three presents.
Defending champions St. Lawrence will also be eying a fourth league win when they take on a tricky Kiringente team. On the table, they sit in the second place, just behind Kampala City on goal difference. Kiringente is 7th and without a point in three matches but is one of the most unpredictable sides, with the tag of giant killers suiting them well. Rarely show up against mid-table counterparts but often come to the party when the big boys come across.
With their rebuilding process still on try and error, new looking Buganda Royal have surprisingly forked out two wins in as many games this campaign and are lying pretty well in the fourth position with six points but their early groove faces an acid test at MS Sand Lions who are third.
MS Sand Lions, coached by the outspoken and buoyant Jamil Mukiibi Ssemwogerere, equally have two wins but with a defeat having played one more game than their opponents. Their ranks include Nigerians – Okollo Chinoso, Yinusa Mufutao and veteran Geoffrey Akabwai who is keen to roll back his old beach soccer days.
They are expected to go all out in this one owing to the fact that Mutoola will be in their way later that very day.
Uganda’s premier beach soccer league is set to resume this Sunday, the 14th of January, with Mutoola BSC and Kiringente serving the first match to be played at FUFA technical centre since the torrential rains put the league on hold in late November.
Wolves, still in search for their first season’s win, will play Kampala City who is riding high at the top of the pile after one outing.
The likely intense match between St. Lawrence University and MS Sand Lions will spring in next before the Mengo derby between Mengo Hill and Buganda Royal takes center stage.
Kiringente, in their second engagement on the day, will test Kampala City as Wolves pray for mercy against St. Lawrence.
Sunday’s action concludes with MS Sand Lions taking on Kampala Junior Team (KJT) at 5pm.
Kampala City has three points, same as St. Lawrence, MS Sand Lions, Buganda Royal, KJT and Mutoola but they lead the table because of a superior goal difference of 12.
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It has been a very interesting start to the 2023/24 FUFA beach soccer league, and no sooner are we over the thrills of the second outing than we are into another full set of exciting fixtures this Sunday of 28th January at FUFA technical centre in Njeru.
