David GOMBE
KCCA FC hosted its first ever night football game in the Uganda Premier League at MTN Omondi Stadium Lugogo.
The 13 times Uganda Premier League Champions conceded a late equalizer courtesy of UPDF’s Douglas Oyirwoth right at the death of the game and shared spoils for the third game on the bounce.
The highlight of the game was the use of floodlights for the very first time in a competitive at Lugogo.
The game kicked off at 6pm on Easter Sunday and as dusk approached, floodlights were switched on.
Four poles are placed at the four corners of the pitch and each pole should harbour 12 large bulb units.
For the game between KCCA FC and UPDF each pole had 7 large units and that means that a balance of 5 large bulb lights missing on each of the four poles.
However, other sections of the stadium had lights erected on long poles to increases on the illumination on the green surface.
When asked about the future of night football at Lugogo and the experience after the club’s first game under floodlights, KCCA FC CEO Anisha Shahir Muhoozi said;
“We are happy that we have been able to host our first game under floodlights at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo and it ended without any glitches. We met some of the technicalities the UPL and FUFA asked us to do before commence night football.”
“These included increasing lighting in areas that seemed dark during our trials matches and also beefing up security in and around the stadium. We lit up the outside of the stadium and that is why fans have had smooth movement as they left the stadium after the game. We have noted a few things from this game that we hope to implement even better in our up coming night games. We urge all stakeholders to support this initiative of clubs playing night football as it will help increase fanbase and give fans an opportunity to watch these games since they take place after the day’s hustle.” Said Muhoozi
According to the updated fixture, KCCA FC will host SC Villa on 23rd April at Lugogo under floodlights but will be hoping the UPL and FUFA can change most of their fixtures scheduled for day to dusk.
Meanwhile, the FUFA club licensing Committee is the body mandated to ensure compliance to the regulations governing hosting of all matches (day and under floodlights).
KCCA FC are currently second on the Uganda Premier league table with 38 points.