Final
- Arrows 1-0 Kafumbe 1.
After a long fight, Arrows FC, under the management of the fierce Dan Kingston, unexpectedly became the Champions of the Hamz Cup, smashing every wished side for the Big Trophy and Cash Prize of 50 Million Uganda Shillings.
The long-term fight was settled with a narrow win where Rogers Tabule scored the only goal of the final played on Friday, December 19, at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo.
The game started with favorite Kafumbe 1 FC shining in white jerseys, having unutilized chances with Striker Shafick Nyanzi, who turned out to be wasteful with the most chances, failing to beat Arrows’ goalkeeper Arafat Khali Keru.
After multiple survivals, Arrows FC in Black and yellow started to grow into the game, with Robert Abonga playing a pivotal role in turning the game in safe hands after dropping from the third quarter of the pitch for a more central role.
The switch lifted Hamid Boya, Mike Makanga, and goal scorer Tabule to make Kafumbe 1’s backline unbearable. The backline was filled by Masaza Cup bests in Jonathan Oluka, Harbert Onen, and Martin Kikambi as a back three.
In the 69th minute, the breakthrough came with a low cross delivered by Boya from the right flank to give Kafumbe 1’s backline a hard time for the first clearance before finding well-spaced Tabule, who hit it to the direct left corner, beating goalkeeper Marvin Ssebirago.
With 20 minutes remaining, Kafumbe 1 staged unsuccessful revival plans with Captain Michael Kayongo, changing the tempo of the game, trying from long range, but Arafat Khali Keru was always on it to stop any harm, as some efforts kept wide.
With Arrows FC playing to cool the game, their plan worked to overcome the thought favorites Kafumbe 1, a side placed in the competition by someone in Hamz Management.
In the run, at Quarterfinals and Semifinals, Arrows FC continued to overthrow tournament interests, beating Bodaboda Union, who brought the biggest number of fans, and Kafumbe 2, who held the same interest as Kafumbe 1.
At the end of the tournament, which started in February, Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu, who was partly represented by his management and family, gave away over 100 million Uganda Shillings as prize money.
Awards
1. Arrows FC (50,000,000 prize)
2. Kafumbe 1 (25,000,000 Prize)
3. Kafumbe 2 (15,000,000 Prize)
4. Pentagon. (10,000,000 Prize)
Jesco FC was awarded the most disciplined team of the tournament. (500,000 prize)
Most with most fans – Bodaboda Union. (1,000,000 Prize)
Best Coach – Felix Ssekabuza of Pentagon (500,000 Prize)
Best Goalkeeper – Ssenyonga Bashir of Pentagon (500,000 Prize)
Top Scorer
Ali Ssentongo Suleiman of Viana Arcade with 10 goals. (500,000 Prize)
MVP, Mike Kayongo-Kafumbe 1 (1,000,000 Prize)
