After a series of six games against five different teams over five rounds, including a double-header semifinal, we are set to face off against Kitara in the 50th edition of the Uganda Cup final as we aim to seal our first-ever major trophy in club history.
Road to the final;
Our first encounter in this year’s edition saw us tied against Mbale-based Northern Division FC for our Round of 64 game, where we defeated the hosts with a 2-1 win. Kayanja Brian, with a man-of-the-match display, scored our first goal and set up Captain Kavuma Marvin for our second. This game also marked Ochan’s debut, and his remarkable pass to Kayanja to set up our second goal was a glimpse of his great potential.
In the Round of 32, we were drawn against Acholi United, who had to visit our home ground in Lugogo. The game rained goals, notably with Joseph Dhata scoring a hat trick to take home the match ball; Zakayo. Wahab opened his scoring accounts for us, while Kavuma became the first player this season to score in consecutive Stanbic Uganda Cup games.
With now limited lower-division clubs, our opponents from the Round of 16 to the finals have been top-flight clubs, aside from Police at the quarterfinals. We faced Busoga United at Kakindu Stadium, and Dhata, scoring in consecutive Stanbic Uganda Cup games, netted a beauty of a goal, which was just enough to send us into the quarterfinals.
We visited Kavumba for the quarterfinal, where Cromwel, scoring his first goal in this edition, opened the score just 4 minutes in after a beautiful setup play by Okocha. Wahab, taking the penalty after substitute Kavuma was brought down in the area, saw us win the game with a 2-0 margin.
We were drawn against BUL FC in the double-header semifinal, with a scheduled visit to Jinja first before hosting the Eastern Giants in the city at MTN Omondi Stadium. In the first leg of the semifinal, we played to a one-all draw as Joseph Dhata canceled BUL’s halftime lead, keeping the tie wide open ahead of the return leg. Knowing the threat BUL posed, Mbalangu’s men left no room for mistakes as they scored two quick first-half goals to close the tie early without a chance for extra time or penalties. Joseph Dhata, completing a double over the Eastern Giants, opened the scoring 7 minutes into the game before Cromwel added the icing on the cake with a beautiful flick to send us into the finals. The rest was a matter of game management, which saw us ascend to the final.
The Final;
We are set to play our first-ever Stanbic Uganda Cup final against a familiar opponent, one we’ve been toe-to-toe with over the last two seasons, from the Big League to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. Competing in the 50th edition of the oldest competition in Uganda brings a great sense of pride and privilege, especially as we have just completed our inaugural season in the top flight of Ugandan football. This historic match not only highlights our rapid rise but also showcases the determination and spirit of our team. As we prepare for this significant milestone, we look forward to seizing the opportunity to secure our first major trophy in club history.
Muteesa II Stadium – Wankulukuku
Our significant promotion to the FUFA Big League was sealed at the Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku in 2022 when we were declared Kampala Regional Champions with a 1-0 win against Water FC. This monumental victory is still fresh in our minds, and we come into this Stanbic Uganda Cup final under the same captaincy of Kavuma Marvin, who led us to that triumph. As we approach this crucial match, we are fully determined to create new memories of success at this historic stadium. With the spirit of our past victories driving us, we are focused on bringing home our first major trophy that shall propel us to continental football.
Team News
We will be without the services of the Cup’s top scorer, Joseph Dhata, who misses out due to suspension, while Kayanja Brian is sidelined due to injury. However, the rest of the squad is fit and available for selection. It remains to be seen who Mbalangu will entrust with the starting role in their absence.
Kick-off and broadcast schedule:
The final kicks off precisely at 15:00 hours, with the game broadcast live and exclusively on FUFA TV, your home of Ugandan sports.