SINAN RAJUB SENOGA
The second edition of the Futsal Uganda Cup got underway with the round of 16 encounters at the Futsal Courts in Mengo, Kisenyi on Thursday 31st January.
Crown, Dream, Typhoon and Yeak Kabowa were among the 8 teams that progressed to the tournament’s quarterfinals while defending champions Luzira Thunders were eliminated.
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It was Crown who denied the holders a chance to defend their title after defeating them 5-3 in the early kick offs of the evening thanks to an Abdiaziiz Abdallah Abdi hat trick and goals from Abdfatah Ahmed and Lamech Tumwebaze.
Free scoring Yeak Kabowa thrashed Aidenal 5-1 courtesy of John Musaasizi, Shaffic Avemah and a hat trick from Enock Ssebagala.
Futsal Super League defending champions Dream overcame Park with a 2-0 victory thanks to a brace from Swahib Kazibwe.
Typhoon edged Equator 3-2 to book a berth in the quarters courtesy of a hat trick from Mato Roger. Adan Ismail and Omar Hitimana scored for Equator but their goals only turned out to be mere consolations.
Debutants Sona Sports Home agonizingly exited the tournament after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Nomad. Lubega Shaban Benteke scored for Sona while Kaire Abdirashid Ismail and Abdinasir Ali Ahmed were on target for Nomad.
The defiant SONA were close to making history when they fought from a goal down to level the affairs, but with only two minutes left on the clock , they were blatantly denied a penalty by referee Emmanuel Kiwewa when a Nomad defender handled the ball in the forbidden area.
As they concentrated on protesting the ref’s decision, Nomad caught them on the counter with Abdinasir Ali beating the isolated James Sekandi to send the neutrals’ favourites packing.
Mengo City stormed the next round courtesy of a penalty shoot out win (2-1) against Elephants following a 1-1 draw.
Parakeets were ejected in the similar style after losing 4-3 on penalties to Bajim after both sides had settled for a 2-2 draw.
Quarter Final Ties
The quarter final pits Yeak Kabowa against Typhoon, Crown against Kabowa United, Dream with Mengo City while Nomad will play against Bajim.
The quarter finals will be played on Thursday 21st February at the International Futsal Courts in Mengo Kisenyi.
The final of this year’s tournament will be played on May 9th where the winner will walk away with money prize of Two million Uganda Shillings (2,000,000/=) sponsored by Ssaka Hauliers.
Round of 16 results
• Kabowa United 3-0 Yap Stars
• Crown 5-3 Luzira Thunders
• Yeak Kabowa 5-1 Aidenal
• Equator 2-3 Typhoon
• Park 0-2 Dream
• Mengo City 1(2) – 1(1) Elephants
• Sona Sports Home 1-2 Nomad
• Parakeets 2(3) – 2(4) Bajim
Quarter Final Fixture
• Kabowa United vs Crown
• Yeak Kabowa vs Typhoon
• Dream vs Mengo City
• Nomad vs Bajim
