HAMZ Cup: Best of the Best and Ngeye Transporters Through to Round of 16 as Group H Concludes
In the 150-million-shilling HAMZ Cup, Best of the Best and Ngeye Transporters kept their campaigns alive after progressing to the Round of 16, while sending Bakuli Car Dealers and Life Team home.
In the final Group H games played yesterday, July 31, Best of the Best capitalized on a slow start by Bakuli Car Dealers to record a 5-1 win.
Intelligent midfielder Michael Abura opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Uthman Kibirige doubled the lead five minutes later before veteran forward Joseph Mukalazi pulled one back for Bakuli Car Dealers.
With the score at 2-1 in the 35th minute, legendary striker Tony Odur restored the two-goal advantage for Best of the Best to lead 3-1 at halftime.
In the second half, Best of the Best raised the intensity and added two more goals in the 50th and 57th minutes to make it 5-1. Ronald Tabule was on target for both, and he later missed a chance to complete his hat-trick after his penalty was saved.
With that result sending the best team through, Ngeye Transporters and Life Team met to battle for the remaining slot from the group to the Round of 16, and a goalless draw favored the Transporters.
Goalkeeper Aaron Lubega made multiple saves to deny Allan Mutumba, while midfielder Isham Kibirige also bossed the middle of the park.
On the other side, Life Team goalkeeper Kenny Lukuiya had a standout performance. He saved a Khalid Zedi penalty in the early minutes and went on to deny Hamza Kasumba on several occasions.
Meanwhile, young winger Reymond Kiwewa, who took on the responsibility of playing as a wing-back, was another high-performing player for Life Team, despite his efforts not being enough to secure safety for his side.
Life Team needed a win as their only way through the group stage, but Allan Mutumba’s unlucky display and poor finishing haunted the entire team and ended their journey.
The action will return on Tuesday, August 4, with two high-intensity games. Spanish Salleh Tiles will take on Titans at 4:00 PM in Group A, while Numark will face Arsenal Fans UG at 7:00 PM in Group G.
In Group G, Arsenal Fans UG are on 6 points and have already progressed, though they will be aiming for maximum points. That result could trigger an early exit for Numark if La Prince beats Supremacy on August 8.
In Group A, Spanish Salleh Tiles and Titans will face off in a do-or-die clash for the final slot. The winner will progress, while a draw will favor Titans FC to join Tororo Boys, who have already booked a place in the Round of 16.