Sunday, March 22
•Buganda 0-0 Tooro
•Teso 0-0 Lango
Buganda and wasteful Tooro Province played out a goalless draw in the first leg of the FUFA Drum quarterfinals played on Sunday at Lugazi Stadium.
Despite playing away from home, Tooro dominated proceedings for long spells but failed to convert their superiority into goals, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg.
Tooro’s clearest opportunity came in the second half when John Byamukama squandered a golden chance, blasting over from close range after connecting to a well-delivered cross from Anwar Ntege.
The visitors also had strong appeals for a penalty waved away after Joseph Ssemujju went down under a challenge from Buganda goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo, but the referee remained unmoved.
Ssemujju proved a constant threat to the Buganda defence throughout the match but lacked the finishing touch.
He was denied in one-on-one situations and also saw a promising move, set up by Thomas Kakaire, go to waste. The forward was later stopped by a crucial intervention from Joshua Lubwama after using his pace to get past Aggrey Kirya.
Norman Namanya also tested Ssebwalunyo with a powerful long-range effort, but the Buganda shot-stopper produced a fine save to keep his side level.
At the other end, Buganda struggled to create meaningful chances despite home advantage. George Kaddu failed to capitalise on a dangerous free-kick, sending his effort straight into the wall, while Muhammad Kagawa Ssenoga’s attempt was comfortably dealt with by Tooro goalkeeper Mutwalib Mugolofa.
Buganda, coached by Patrick Kimuli and captained by Viane Ssekajugo, now face a tough task in the return leg scheduled for next Sunday at St Paul Seminary in Fort Portal, where they will need a victory to progress.
Buganda, the inaugural champions, finished second in Group B behind holders Lango, while Tooro topped Group D, which also featured Teso and Kampala Region.
Starting lineups
Buganda – Hannington Ssebwalunyo, Apollo Kagogwe, George Kaddu, Aggrey Kirya, Joshua Lubwama, Amuli Mukasa, Isaac Musiima, Muhammad Ssenoga, Viane Ssekajugo, Hamza Mulambuzi, Samson Kigozi
Tooro – Mutwalib Mugolofa, Ashraf Mandela, Jafari Kaziro, Samuel Kato Nemeyimana, John Byamukama, Norman Namanya, Thomas Kakaire, Emmanuel Opolot, Anwar Ntege, Joseph Ssemujju, Benjamin Nyakoojo
