Wednesday, 1st May 2024 was International Labour Day but in Uganda’s context, it was a day for the football enthusiasts to quench thirst of a place that is so dear to them.
Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) is the cathedral of Ugandan Football and since 2019, the facility had not witnessed any football action due to the renovation works.
Since then it has always been evident that football wanted to return to its cradle and the delays in the refurbishment always left a feeling of anxiety amongst those that hold football dear to their hearts.
With government beating around the clock to see to it that the stadium is given the greenlight by CAF to host the upcoming World Cup Qualifier matches, there has been a lot of work in recent weeks to meet the required standards.
FUFA came up with an idea to have test matches at the venue as a way of showing that Namboole is ready for international games. And when the idea was sold to StarTimes Uganda Premier League, the organisers and clubs fully supported it.
The choice of BUL FC hosting Vipers SC and KCCA FC taking on rivals SC Villa in a double header was a perfect choice for so many reasons but key among them was the bearing the two games have in the title chase.
When the development was announced last week, Ugandans fully embraced the idea and immediately.
Come D-Day, not even the heavy downpour on Wednesday afternoon stopped the fans who for long wanted to return to Namboole to turn up in big numbers.
Several dignitaries turned up including Uganda’s Vice President Emeritus H.E Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim, Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang and National Council of Sports Chairman Tashobya Ambros and General Secretary Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel.
Uganda Cranes Head Coach Paul Put, his predecessor Milutin Sredojevic aka Mucho and Crested Cranes Head Coach Sheryl Botes were all in attendance.
Artistes like Eddy Kenzo and Pia Pounds also attended while City evangelist Apostle Dr. Joseph Sserwadda was also in the crowd to witness the return of football to Namboole.
Many left Namboole delighted about the playing surface for both the outside pitch and the main ground. Some were seen taking pictures on the training pitch.
Inside the stadium, fans took selfies to share with the wider community on their social media platforms.
The four clubs that played equally did not disappoint with the display on the pitch.
In the first game, BU FC edged Vipers SC 1-0 courtesy of Jerome Kirya’s goal in the first half.
The second game saw KCCA FC defeat SC Villa 2-0 with Arafat Usama Kizza bagging a brace.
