Kampala Referees Inter DFA: Makindye Held, Central Fight Back, Title Race Opens Up
Wankulukuku ‘Terimba’ Mirimu Noah on scoring a brace against Rubaga
Match day three of the Kampala Region Referees Inter DFA Tournament delivered late drama and history at Mutesa II Wankulukuku Stadium on Tuesday, as debutants Kampala Central stunned defending champions Rubaga to earn their first ever point. The 2-2 draw ensured Central registered on the board in their maiden campaign, while Rubaga’s title defense suffered another damaging blow.
Rubaga looked to be cruising for most of the contest after Ssekeba Harunah struck twice inside the opening half-hour, scoring in the 5th and 33rd minutes to put the champions 2-0 up.
Kampala Central players celebrating after scoring against Rubaga
But Kampala Central refused to fold. Noah Mirimu led the comeback with a quick-fire brace in the 51st and 58th minutes to pull Central level and silence the Rubaga faithful. The result leaves the defending champions with just one point from three outings and no chance of reaching the final.
Their struggles were compounded by the resignation of coach Alex Mugisha, with questions now being asked about the team’s tactical and technical direction, particularly around selection and substitutions. For Central, it was a statement point.
Assistant Captain Mirimu admitted the side had been chasing a breakthrough. “First of all we had to look for a way to score goals in the tournament, and when we saw the change in Rubaga’s goal we knew we were going to get one,” he said.
On his brace, Mirimu added: “I felt like walking on water, just like Jesus Christ. That brace shut all the villagers, and also stepping on that saying ‘Wankulukuku Teriba’ from Ivan Lubwama.”
Reflecting on the campaign, he noted: “None of them knew we could get something in this tournament, but here we are on our first appearance. Not like Kawempe, the city bosses Kampala Central managed to get a point.” Kawempe lost all six of their matches in the first edition.
Elsewhere, pre-tournament favourites Makindye were held 1-1 by Kawempe in all result that kept the group wide open. Lanky midfielder Mike Dralega gave Kawempe a 16th-minute lead, but Makindye’s Isabirye Ali converted a penalty in the 49th minute to restore parity.
Makindye utility player Julius Kawuma said injuries hurt his side, with attacking midfielder Frank Ssemakula and defender Tony Agaba among those missing. “We also missed a couple of chances.
The strikers weren’t clinical enough,” he said. Despite dropping points, Kawuma remains confident: “Makindye is a team to beat. We are already realistic about the final. We are waiting for whoever comes and we are eager to take the trophy home.”
Kawempe captain Ivan Lubwama said the improvement from last year has been clear. “We did our homework, corrected our mistakes from the previous edition, and now teamwork, training, passion and commitment have driven us,” he said.
Lubwama Ivan in action against Makindye
On qualification hopes, Lubwama added: “This draw helps us heading into the final match day vs Rubaga. If Nakawa draw or lose to Makindye and we beat Rubaga, we can qualify for the final.”
With three teams now battling for the top two spots, the permutations are tight. Kawempe’s path is straightforward but difficult: they must beat Rubaga and hope Nakawa lose to Makindye. If Nakawa draw with Makindye, Kawempe would need a win by more than six goals against Rubaga to advance on goal difference. Action resumes next Tuesday with Kawempe facing Rubaga, while Nakawa take on Makindye.
The two captains hugging themselves during Fairplay.
The tournament has shifted from a procession for the defending champions to a wide-open race. Rubaga’s campaign is over and Central have announced themselves, but Makindye, Kawempe and Nakawa all still have something to play for. If Tuesday was about resilience and redemption, next week will be about nerve.