The FUFA Drum 2019: Acholi, Bugisu battle for final slot in Gulu - FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Posted on December 7, 2019 - 8:48 am by Ahmed Marsha

FUFA DRUM 2019 (Powered by Eagle Poa):

1^st Semi-final (Saturday, December 7):

Acholi Vs Bugisu – Pece War Memorial Stadium, Gulu (4 PM)

2nd Semi-final (Sunday, 8th December):

Lango Vs Bukedi – Akii Bua Stadium, Lira (4 PM)

*Both Matches Live on 102.1 FUFA f.m, FUFA Facebook Twitter Handle, Facebook Page (With a Live Stream) and on BBS Telefaina

A thin line demarcates all the four semi-finalists at this year’s FUFA Drum tournament.

Two hosts Acholi and Lango are joined by Eastern Uganda giants Bukedi and Bugisu at the semi-final stage.

First, Acholi will face Bugisu in the opening semi-final clash on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at the Pece War Memorial Stadium in Gulu.

Then, the following day, Lango will take on Bukedi at the Akii Bua Stadium in Lira.

There crucial talking points in the first semi-final between Acholi and Bugisu.

Acholi is at home and will be buoyed by the enthusiastic fans to push for a positive result.

In the new format of the quarter finals, Acholi won one game (1-0 against Buganda) and drew one all in the other two matches; against Tooro and Bukedi.

Bugisu on the other hand lost one (1-0 against Lango) before recovering to win the next two matches; 1-0 against West Nile and 4-3 against fellow Eastern region giants Busoga.

The 12th man will be crucial for Acholi against Bugisu in the first semi-final at Pece War Memorial Stadium, Gulu

Important players:

Acholi has a couple of key players to include Vipers’ goalkeeper Derrick Ochan, team captain Denis Okot Oola of BUL FC, BUL’s Walter Ochora, Slyvester Okello (Maroons), Felix Okot (Maroons), Fred Agandu (Unattached), James Otim (BUL), Hudu Mulikyi (URA), Tito Okello (Vipers), Isaac Otto (Maroons), Francis Onekalit (Ndejje University) and Norman Ojik (unattached), among others.

Action between Acholi and Bukedi at the Pece War Memorial Stadium, Gulu. The game ended 1 all.

They are coached by Geofrey Akena who has Raymond Komakech as assistant with Moses Oloya the goalkeeping coach.

Bugisu will look forward Kataka FC goalkeeper Edward Kasibante, a former Uganda U-17 goalie, Hakim Magombe, Ibrahim Wamannah, Moses Ssekasana, Raymond Onyai (Mbarara City), skipper Muwadda Mawejje (Wakiso Giants) and the goalkeeper – turned – striker Steven Mukomba (Kiboga Young).

Bugisu’s striker Raymond Onyai races with the ball for a quick restart after scoring

The Bugisu Province team is coached by a former goalkeeper Godfrey “Toldo” Awachango.

Toldo is deputized by a former lethal striker Ibrahim Maruti.

Coach Toldo (in blue) talks to the players during a warm up session at Pece Stadium before their 4-3 win against Busoga

The winner between Acholi and Bugisu face the champion from the second semi-final between Lango and Bukedi (to be played on Sunday in Lira) prior to Tuesday’s final.

The winner of the 2019 FUFA Drum tournament will take home gold medals, a glittering trophy and cash reward of Shs 32M.

The theme of the FUFA Drum tournament is “Celebrating Our Ancestry”.