Kyaggwe, Gomba Seize First-Leg Advantage in Masaza Cup Semi-Finals
Kyaggwe and Gomba took first-leg advantage in the Buganda Masaza Cup semi-finals, with Kyaggwe beating Bugerere 1-0 and Gomba winning 2-0 over Butambala.
At Mukono Bishops Ground on September 27, substitute Ziraba Ronnie came off the bench for Innocent Matega to grab the only goal of the game in the second half.
Team doctor attending to captain of Kyagwe David Mugalu – Photo courtesy
The game was balanced in the first half despite a forced substitution when captain David Mugala collided with teammate Geoffrey Alijore in the 18th minute. Both players sustained severe cuts and medical teams combined efforts for over five minutes, but Mugala later failed to continue and striker Shaban Kayongo came on.
At half-time the game remained 0-0, prompting the Kyaggwe technical team to change tactics and overload the midfield with Mungu Jakisa, Geoffrey Ssenyonga, Ziraba Ronnie and Kato George.
Team captains and match officials before kick-off-Photo courtesy.
The Kyaggwe technical team also made another tactical switch, swapping Vincent Agaku who started at right centre with Christopher Lubuuka who started at right-back.
The tactical move sparked Kyaggwe and they immediately started exposing Bugerere’s midfield from the start of the second half, with Usman Mayanja going missing while Innocent Ongurucho and David Opio committed countless fouls.
In that case, 25 minutes into the second half David Opio fouled Geoffrey Ssenyonga on Kyaggwe’s mid-left flank and Lubuuka used the opportunity to set up Ziraba, who scored with a volley past Bugerere goalkeeper Julius Ssenyonjo.
After the goal Kyaggwe maintained control of the game, with Shaban Kayongo becoming unplayable, Kato George missing three clear chances, while Ssenyonjo denied Emmanuel Shikanga with a fingertip save.
Eight minutes to full time, Bugerere went down to 10 men when left-back Isaac Ssebunya committed a reckless challenge on Vincent Agaku and the referee had no choice but to show him a second caution resulting into a Red Card.
Bugerere managed to hold on and at full-time the game ended 1-0, with the return leg set for Sunday, October 4 at Ntenjeru Ssaza Ground in Kayunga, the home of Bugerere.
On the other hand, record champions Gomba moved closer to their first final since 2023 when they defeated Butambala 2-0 at Kabulasoke PTC on Sunday, September 27. Meddie Kasule scored both goals to take his tally to 7 and he is the current leading topscorer.
The reverse fixture will be played on Saturday, October 3rd at Kibibi SS. Butambala will seek to repeat what they did in the quarter-final to eliminate Busujju, although this time the situation is tougher.
The winners on aggregate after the return legs will advance to the Buganda Masaza Cup final scheduled for October 31 at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku. The last final at Wankulukuku saw Gomba lose 1-0 to Bulemeezi.