In a high-stakes match at the Ntara Primary School playground, defending champions Mwenge South held Kitagwenda to a 1-1 draw, securing their place in the semifinals of the Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup 2024.
The match saw Kitagwenda, who needed a decisive win to stay in the tournament, start strong. From the outset, they looked the more likely to score, applying relentless pressure on Mwenge South's defense. Despite their efforts, the first half concluded without any goals.
The second half saw a shift in momentum. Mwenge South, needing only a draw to advance, dominated possession but struggled to break through Kitagwenda’s defense. However, in the 67th minute, Shariff Ahuura found the back of the net, giving Mwenge South a crucial lead.
Kitagwenda, fighting for survival in the tournament, responded ten minutes later. A long cross from defender Fred Kusiima was converted by Confort Atuhaire, leveling the score and reigniting their hopes. Despite a valiant effort, Kitagwenda couldn’t find the winning goal they desperately needed.
The draw means Mwenge South advances to the semifinals, where they will face the winner between Ntoroko County and Kyaka. Kitagwenda, on the other hand, is eliminated from the tournament. This draw marked Kitagwenda's first point in the Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup 2024, a disappointing outcome for a team with high expectations.
Reflecting on the match, Kitagwenda official Michael Karwani expressed his disappointment: "Our defense was not well organized and it cost us the 3 points which we needed to progress to the next level. We are out of this year’s tournament. Let's go and reorganize and plan for the next year. We appreciate MTN and Tooro Kingdom for the partnership and all our fans who have supported us up to this level."
In a previous match, Kitagwenda suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat to Burahya at the Kyembogo Datic playground, which meant they needed a 3-0 victory in their final group stage game to have any chance of advancing. This defeat, combined with the draw against Mwenge South, sealed their fate in this year's tournament.
As the Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup 2024 progresses, Mwenge South's journey continues as they aim to defend their title, while Kitagwenda looks to regroup and come back stronger next year.
