The Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup semifinals delivered a spectacle yesterday as Burahya snatched a thrilling 4-3 penalty win over Ntoroko following a one-all draw on aggregate, clinching their spot in the finals.

The second leg saw Ntoroko edge ahead with a 1-0 win, thanks to a standout goal by Muzaya Allan. But when the pressure was on, Burahya’s cool heads and sharp shooting in the penalty shootout made all the difference.

The match was a nail-biter, with both teams creating electrifying opportunities. Muzaya Allan’s precise strike broke the deadlock for Ntoroko, but Burahya wasn’t about to roll over. They pushed hard for an equalizer and got their reward, pushing the game to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Burahya was flawless, with Kambale Adrine, Norman Kugonza, Businge Ivan, and Lubega Shabil scoring their penalties with style.

Conversely, Ntoroko’s Kaswara Ason and Kyambade Frank missed their chances. However, Mabilo Frank, Alinaitwe Ibrahim, and Upari Godfrey Kante kept the hopes alive with their successful spot-kicks.

With this victory, Burahya Isaza Team is set to face Fort Portal in the final match on September 7th, aiming to capture the coveted Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup trophy.

Meanwhile, Ntoroko will battle Mwenge South Isaza for the bronze medal.

Fort Portal City has clinched a coveted spot in the semifinals of the MTN Tooro Masaza Cup following a commanding 3-0 victory over Bunyangabu County.

The match played at St. Leo’s College Playground in Kabura saw Fort Portal City assert their dominance right from the onset thanks to the exceptional performance of Vincent Ayebale who netted all three goals.

Ayebale opened the scoring in the 6th minute of the game to put Fort Portal on the path to victory.

Despite relentless efforts from Bunyangabu County to equalize, they could not break through Fort Portal’s resolute defence.

Ayebale struck again in the 87th minute and completed his hattrick in added time, ensuring Fort Portal’s progression to the next stage.

Vander Apuuli, head coach of Fort Portal City, praised his team’s collective effort and resilience. “We wanted a win because it was the only sure way of qualifying. I am happy that within a short time of the game our boys had scored that important goal, and in the second half, they sealed the win,” Apuuli said. “My boys have all the confidence, and we want to assure our fans that we shall play in the finals,” he added.

Fort Portal City joins Ntoroko, Mwenge South, and Burahya in the semifinals, with the eliminated teams being Kyaka, Bunyangabu, Mwenge North, Kibaale, and Kitagwenda.

Harriet Nyakake, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Tooro Kingdom, graced the match and expressed her gratitude to MTN Uganda for their sponsorship of the tournament.

“I want to appreciate all the participating Tooro Kingdom counties and our sponsors MTN; they have done a very great job in our kingdom,” Nyakake said.

Additionally, Wandela Micheal Enganjani, the Tooro Kingdom Sports Minister, congratulated the qualifying teams and emphasized the importance of health initiatives, urging for continuous HIV/AIDS testing, condom use, and abstinence to combat the spread of the disease. Honourable Ernest Kalege, the county chief of Fort Portal, echoed these sentiments, calling for support of King Oyo’s mission to eradicate AIDS from Tooro Kingdom by 2040.

The Tooro Kingdom MTN Amasaza Cup continues to be a platform not only for showcasing football talent but also for promoting vital health messages. As the tournament progresses, anticipation builds for the semifinal clashes, with Fort Portal City confidently aiming for a spot in the finals.

Ntoroko County FC secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Kyaka County FC in a gripping Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup showdown at the Humura playground in Kyegegwa district.

Ason Kaswara netted the decisive goal in the 34th minute of an entertaining game filled with missed opportunities as Kyaka’s run in the tournament was brought to an end.

Kyaka started the match on a strong note with Frank Asiimwe showcasing his skills early on. Despite their spirited performance, Kyaka couldn’t convert their dominance into much-needed goals.

The game played under challenging weather conditions due to a heavy downpour saw moments of high drama. Thomas Mugisa, making his tournament debut, posed a constant threat to Ntoroko. His shout for a penalty in the 81st minute after a challenge from Ntoroko defender Michael Bwamble was waved away by the referee.

Ntoroko’s victory ensured their spot in the semifinals, joining Burahya, who also advanced as the best losers of the group stage.

Ntoroko County Member of Parliament, Gerald Rwemulikya, praised his team for their resilience and performance. “Kyaka was at home and they created many chances. This was our first time playing at Humura playground, but we managed to get a well-deserved win. I want to congratulate my players and wish them luck in the next stage,” Rwemulikya said.

Kyaka thus became the fourth team to be eliminated after Kitagwenda, Kibaale, and Mwenge North.

Tooro Kingdom’s sports minister, Michael Wandera Enganjani, highlighted the broader significance of the annual sports tournaments and commended MTN Uganda for their continuous support and promised unwavering cooperation in future events.

“These tournaments are meant to promote talents and fight against HIV/AIDS, which is very high in Fort Portal according to a Uganda AIDS Commission survey,” he said.

Aggrey Byaruhanga, MTN’s regional marketing officer, reiterated the importance of health and safety among the participants and supporters.

“I appeal to Tooro Kingdom subjects to continue testing for HIV and using condoms if they cannot abstain,” Byaruhanga stated.

Looking ahead, the Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup will feature a clash between Fort Portal City and Bunyangabu County next Sunday at the King Oyo Sports Complex in Bukwali at 3 PM.

In a high-stakes match at the Ntara Primary School playground, defending champions Mwenge South were held by Kitagwenda to a 1-1 draw but secured their place in the semifinals of the MTN Tooro Masaza Cup.

Kitagwenda, who needed a decisive win to stay in the tournament, started strong. From the outset, they looked the more likely to score, applying relentless pressure on Mwenge South’s defence. Despite their efforts, the first half ended goalless.

The second half saw a shift in momentum with Mwenge South, needing only a draw to advance, dominating possession but struggling to break through Kitagwenda’s defence. 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 this year’s tournament, a disappointing outcome for a team with high expectations.

“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,” Kitagwenda official Michael Karwani said.,

In a previous match, Kitagwenda suffered a heavy 4-1 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.

Matchday five of the 3rd Edition of MTN Tooro Amasaza Cup saw Fort Portal City Country deliver a crushing blow to Kibale County, securing a 1-0 victory at the Kahunge Playground in Kamwenge District.

This win not only earned Fort Portal City FC a coveted spot in the semifinals but also virtually eliminated Kibale County from the tournament.

George Kato was the hero for Fort Portal, scoring the decisive goal in the first half. Despite numerous opportunities and free kicks, Kibale County failed to find the back of the net.

Reflecting on the victory, Kato praised his team’s spirit and collective effort. “It was me who scored the goal but this was just proof of family spirit. We played well and created many chances, so we deserved the win. I’m happy that we have progressed to the semifinals. This time, we need the trophy,” he said.

The match, attended by several dignitaries from Tooro Kingdom, MTN, and local politicians, saw a resilient Fort Portal City FC dominate the field.

Godfrey Muhumuza, chairman of Kibale County, expressed disappointment over their elimination but remained optimistic about the future. “We are out of the tournament, but we are going to plan for next year. We have a better team, but the coordination was not good,” he said.

Irene Linda, the Fort Portal City woman Member of Parliament, was present at the game and lauded MTN for their partnership with the kingdom.

“We appreciate MTN, which has injected a lot of money and supported the kingdom in organizing this tournament. We also appreciate all our counties for their participation,” she remarked.

Fort Portal County FC is set to face Bunyangabu County FC in the semifinals at Buhinga Stadium on July 28 in Fort Portal City. This highly anticipated match will determine who advances to the final, with both teams eager to claim the championship.

The MTN Uganda-sponsored Tooro Amasaza Cup returned in full force over the weekend with two exhilarating matches in Kabarole and Kyenjojo districts.

In the Saturday clash, Burahya County registered a comfortable 4-1 victory over Kitagwenda County at the packed Kyembogo Datic Playground in Kabarole district.

However, it was Kitagwenda that opened the scoring but Burahya quickly equalized with the game heading to halftime all square.

In the second half, Burahya’s coach, Bernard Musonge, rallied his team to play stronger and they responded by netting three more goals, capitalizing on Kitagwenda’s missed opportunities.

“We have a more organized team now and are looking forward to more wins,” stated Burahya official Muhumuza Crosby, reflecting on their improvements since their opening match loss to Mwenge Central.

Kitagwenda’s coach, Brian Walusimbi, voiced concerns about the playing field but remained hopeful for their upcoming crucial match against Mwenge South.

The action continued on Sunday as Mwenge North faced off against Kyaka County at the Kyarusozi Playground in Kyenjojo district.

Kyaka emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win. The solitary goal was scored in the first half, and Kyaka’s solid defense maintained their lead until the final whistle.

Kyaka County Member of Parliament and team patron, Tom Bright, expressed his joy at the victory and thanked the organizing committee for their efforts.

“We are overwhelmed by this victory. I thank the players, fans, organizing committee, the Kingdom of Tooro for this opportunity and MTN for the partnership,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The Tooro Kingdom MTN Amasaza Cup, played since 2004, continues to be a significant event in the region, drawing large crowds and fostering a spirit of togetherness.

The tournament will proceed with more matches in the coming weekends, keeping the excitement alive for fans and players alike.

In a gripping encounter played at the Kibiito Primary School Playground, Bunyangabu and Kibale County settled for a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the MTN Tooro Amasaza Cup.

The game kicked off with high energy as both teams were eager to make a strong start. Kibale County drew first blood in the 31st minute through Ivan Ahereza with a precise header from a corner kick, putting the visitors in the lead and sending their supporters into jubilation.

Bunyangabu County, however, remained resilient and continued to push forward. Their perseverance paid off in the 90th minute when Ivan Kisembo equalized with a penalty kick, securing a point for the hosts dramatically.

Kibale coach Brian Walusimbi expressed his concerns over the officiating, particularly the timing of the penalty awarded to Bunyangabu. “There were several irregularities that favored the host team. The timing of the penalty was questionable, but we remain optimistic about our chances in the next match,” Walusimbi commented.

The match saw an impressive turnout of fans and officials, including the Minister for Gender and Culture, Peace Regis Mutuuzo, and other Tooro Kingdom dignitaries.

Minister Peace Regis Mutuuzo, who is also the Bunyangabu district woman Member of Parliament, showed her support with a generous donation of 500,000 Shs to the match.

Additionally, she pledged 100,000 Shs for each goal scored by Bunyangabu, further incentivizing the team’s performance. “MTN has supported the kingdom in various sectors, and we appreciate their commitment. We have achieved a lot through them,” said Mutuuzo.

Aggrey Byaruhanga, the MTN representative, emphasized the critical role of HIV awareness and prevention in the region. “We thank the attendees for their support and promise continued backing from MTN. This tournament is not just about sports; it’s about community and health,” Byaruhanga noted.

Owek. Micheal Wandera, the Sports Minister of Tooro Kingdom, praised the partnership with MTN Uganda, highlighting the significant financial support from political leaders in Bunyangabu. “The Amasaza tournament has been a dream realized through our partnership with MTN Uganda. The event has been largely peaceful and entertaining, with the public coming out in large numbers to support their teams,” Wandera stated.

The opening match set a thrilling tone for the tournament, promising more excitement and community engagement in the coming weeks. As the tournament progresses, fans and participants alike are eager to see how the competition unfolds and who will emerge victorious in this celebration of sport and culture.

A fully packed Karugutu playground was treated to a thriller as Mwenge North battled Ntoroko in the MTN Tooro Amasaza Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Ntoroko County prevailed with a 3-1 win in their opening match of the 2024 tournament.

Frank Madilo, Godfrey Muhara and Ason Kaswara were on target for the victors while Dean Katwesige netted the consolation for Mwenge North who were also playing their first game of this year’s tournament.

Frank Madilo got Ntoroko’s first goal in the 31st minute of the game.

In the second half of the game, Ntoroko kept pushing and in the 51st minute, Muhara doubled the lead with a bullet header off a corner kick.

With 19 minutes from full time, Katwesige pulled a goal back for Mwenge North but Kaswara later scored the third goal for Ntoroko to put the game to bed.

Charles Mwenye, the head coach of Mwenge North, admitted Ntoroko played a good game.

“They played well throughout all the two halves and they created lots of chances and they deserved the win. We are waiting for another game at home and we shall correct a few of our mistakes,” said Mwenye.

Raphael Matte, the LC III Chairman of Karugutu Town Council, thanked MTN Uganda for supporting Tooro Kingdom activities including sponsoring the tournament.

“We continue to witness exceptional talent, and I want to thank our partners, MTN Uganda, for making this possible. Such activities require significant support, and over the years, MTN has walked this journey with us by backing several initiatives spearheaded by the Kingdom, enabling us to sustain activities like the Masaza Cup tournament year after year,” Matte said.

Next Match

On Sunday, June 9, Bunyangabu County will take on Kibale County at Kibiito SS Playground.

The 2024 MTN Tooro Masaza Cup kicked off over the weekend with defending champions Mwenge South edging Burahyain in the season opener played at the Katoosa playground in Kyenjojo.

Burahya took an early lead in the well-attended game, setting the stage for what was an intense battle.

However, Mwenge South responded through Shafiq Mwesige who found the equalizer and ensured the teams went into the halftime break level at 1-1.

In the closely contested second half, it was Mwenge South that eventually found the breakthrough with Razak Musinguzi netting the decisive goal six minutes from time to secure a 2-1 victory for the hosts.

“We know Burahya is not an easy team, but we also have good players who are determined. I’m happy that we played as a team and won as a team,” Mwesigye, one of the scorers for Mwenge, said in the aftermath of the game.

Burahya, who also narrowly missed out on the title to Mwenge South last year, now face questions about their ability to dethrone Mwenge but their team manager Murungi Musobozi says the fans should expect the best.

“The team was well-organized, but some mistakes cost us. We’ve been training hard and have summoned the best players from the County. Our fans should still expect the best from us,” Musobozi reflected on the match.

The MTN Tooro Amasaza Cup was officially launched recently in Fort Portal by Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Steven Kiyingi, who expressed his delight at the growing standard of the MasazaCup. He also urged sportsmen to leverage the tournament’s popularity to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which remains a significant challenge in the community.

MTN’s partnership with Tooro Kingdom extends beyond football and encompasses providing HIV testing services to residents and supporting the “End HIV by 2030” campaign led by OmukamaKabamba Iguru. This initiative underscores the organizers’ commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community.

Adding excitement to this year’s tournament, the prize money has been increased from 5 million to 7.5 million Ugandan Shillings courtesy of MTN Uganda.

The Masaza Cup action will resume next weekend with a full schedule of games, promising more excitement and competitive football.

• MTN Tooro Masaza Cup | Final
• Saturday, August 12, 2023

• Mwenge South 2-1 Kyaka County

Mwenge registered a 2-1 victory against Kyaka County to clinch the 2023 MTN Tooro Masaza Cup Tournament at Buhinga Stadium, Fort Portal on Saturday.

The Chief Guest Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV graced the occasion as the MTN Tooro Masaza Cup climaxed.

The King of Tooro Kingdom arrived after the action had gotten underway but able to walk onto the field of play before second half started.

Defending Champions Kyaka had better control of the game from the start and clearly showed that they are used to the grand stage.

Mwenge South came close in the seventh minute after roving forward Razak Zuberi delivered a lofted cross into the area, but Geofrey Mucunguzi rushed off his line to palm away the effort.

In the 11^th minute, the lanky midfielder Wafula Mukasa nodded home a powerful effort past Kyaka’s custodian Mucunguzi to give Mwenge South the lead.

Two minutes later, Kamya Abdul laid in a well-weighed cross and yet again Mukasa pounced on to the ball to double Mwenge’s lead with a bouncing header.

Mwenge South’s fans could not hold their excitement as ran onto the field of play chanting in jubilation for the early lead.

Twelve minutes later, Kyaka got a free kick in a deadly area but Fred Ategeka’s free kick was well collected by Mwenge’s goalkeeper after the ball’s speed reduced due to a deflection.

It was a fairy tale story for Mwenge South to be crowned champions after they failed to get out the groups in the previous edition.

Kyaka increased their pace thus attacking relentlessly as they tried to get back into the game but Mwenge South keep calm and composed through out.

Kyaka found a consolation late through Felix Atwisa but it was not enough for them to defend their title.