David GOMBE
The 2025 Buganda Masaza Cup Group stage has reached the final rounds after the climax of match-day nine over the weekend.
With several teams battling it out for slots in the knockout phase four former champions are out of the competition.
Reigning champions Buddu had their chances of defending the title shattered away to Ssese on Saturday.
Buddu under Eric Kisuze crashed out of the competition following a 1-0 defeat to Ssese in the Bulange Group contest at Lutoboka.
With nine points they have garnered after match-day nine, Buddu cannot progress past the group stage.
Buluuli with 16 points alongside Busujju and Ssese who are on 15 points respectively are on course of securing slots in the last eight.
Record champions Gomba bow out of the prestigious event at the group stage for a second successive year. Gomba have won the championship a record five times 2004, 2009, 2014, 2017 and 2020 but will have to wait for next year following another disappointing campaign despite their recruitment.
Busiro who won their maiden Masaza title in 2022 are also out of the competition following another horrible campaign.
Busiro, Gomba and Buddu are all on nine points in Bulange Group and will have to wait for 2026 to fight for glory.
Bulemeezi are the other former champions to the eliminated at the Group stage following their disappointing Masengere Group campaign.
Bulemeezi are second from the bottom in the Group of six that has Buweekula, Mawokota, Bugerere, Kyaddondo and Buvuma.
Bulemeezi are previous winners of the competition in 2012, 2019 and 2023 have managed just eight points in Masengere Group.
They are automatically out with one group game to go, Buweekula lead the group with 18 points and are into the last eight while Mawokota need just a point in their final group game to secure a slot in the quarters.
Bugerere and Kyaddondo are in a must win situation if they are to extend their stay in the competition beyond the Group stage.
