The fourth edition of the 2023 FUFA Drum tournament kicked off in July 2023 with a different format this time around, consisting of a qualification round before the group stages.
Eight provinces—Bunyoro, Sebei, Bukedi, Ankole, Rwenzori, Kigezi, Busoga, and Karamoja—participated at this level on a home and away basis to determine who made it to the group stages. Busoga, Kigezi, Bunyoro, and Ankole successfully qualified.
With that brief background of the 4th edition, let’s take a look at the journey of the two finalists: Busoga province and Lango province.
Busoga Province:
They commenced their journey in the qualification round against Karamoja province and managed to negotiate the encounter with double wins at home and away, 4-1 and 1-3 respectively, to progress 7-2 on aggregate.
In the group stages, they were placed in group C alongside Bugisu and West Nile provinces. They started with a barren stalemate at Bugisu before stunning defending champions West Nile province 4-1 in Kamuli. They then returned to action by hosting Bugisu, resulting in a 1-1 draw, and concluded the group stage with a 2-1 loss at West Nile. Nevertheless, they progressed to the Quarterfinals in second place with five points, one behind leaders West Nile, to book a date with Tooro.
Against Tooro Province, Busoga took the first-leg advantage by winning 3-1 in Kamuli, thanks to strikes from Ibrahim Mugulusi, Reagan Kalyowa, and Isaac Wagoina. They lost by the same scoreline in the return leg in Fort Portal but stormed the semifinal via penalty shootouts for the first time in their history.
In the Semifinal, they faced neighbors Teso province and dominated the two legs, winning 2-1 and 1-0 in Teso and Kamuli, respectively, progressing to the final with a 3-1 aggregate score.
Lango Province:
Finalists of the third edition, Lango began their journey from the group stages, where they were placed in group B with Kigezi and Kampala provinces.
They played their first game at Kigezi and won 1-0 before defeating Kampala Province 2-1 at Akiibua stadium. Their last two group games saw them defeat Kigezi 3-0 at home before drawing 1-1 with Kampala at Bugolobi Coffee grounds, securing their spot in the Quarters as leaders with 10 points.
In the Quarterfinal, they faced Acholi province and progressed over the two legs with a shocking 0-2 away win in Kitgum, thanks to strikes from Emmanuel Obua and Denis Omedi, and a 1-1 draw in Lira, advancing 3-1 on aggregate.
The Semifinal witnessed a repeat of last edition’s final as they battled West Nile province. Lango managed to win the first leg 2-0 in Lira, thanks to a Denis Omedi brace, before losing 1-0 at Greenlight stadium, but they made it to the final with a 2-1 aggregate score.
Squads
Semi-final in pictures
Busoga Province 1-0 Teso province (Agg. 3-1)
West Nile Province 1-0 Lango province (Agg. 1-2)
