Gomba and Bulemeezi have completed the 2023 Masaza Cup final puzzle after ejecting their respective opponents on Monday evening.
Bulemeezi eliminated Mawokota 4-2 in penalties after a goalless draw in the second leg played in Luweero while in Masaka, the home side Buddu lost 1-0 to Gomba and were ejected 3-1 on aggregate.
In a highly contested affair, Kenneth Kimera’s eaarly second-half goal was enough to put the last nail in Buddu’s coffin as Gomba completed a double over their oppenents and progressed to the final.
Gomba had edged Buddu 2-1 in the first leg that was played in Kabulasoke last week.
Felix Ssekabuza (now at Gomba) who was assistant to Simon Peter Mugwerwa (now at Buddu) at Busiro last year as they lifted the title, will have a chance to win back-to-back titles with two different teams.
Buddu had reached the final in three consecutive years and they will now have to wait for next year to try again.
This is the ninth time Gomba are reaching the final and they have won the majestic title five times, the most by any team. They last lifted the trophy in 2020 when they defeated Buddu 3-1 in Kitende.
In the second semifinal, Bulemeezi advanced after overcoming Mawokota. In the first leg, Bulemeezi and Mawokota played to a one-all draw and Bulemeezi needed to shoot out Mawokota to reach the final after four years.
Mawokota’s dream to reach the final after 10 years came to an end when they missed two of their first four opening penalties while Bulemeezi were clinical enough as all their penalty takers executed the first four penalties and advanced to the final.
Buleemezi will be playing their fourth Masaza Cup final and they have won it twice with their latest coming in 2019 when they narrowly beat Busiro 1-0 thanks to Emmanuel Loki’s header.
The 2023 Masaza Cup final will be played on 28th October in a stadium yet to be named.
Final: Gomba VS Bulemeezi
3rd Place Playoff: Buddu VS Mawokota
