Kavumba Elites became the fifth side to clinch a place in the Mutalaga Christmas Cup 2024 Round of 16 by stopping Mutungo Central on penalties.
In normal time, the game played at Lweza playground on Tuesday 19 November 2024 ended 2-2.
Mutungo Central Scored first during the game’s opening moments in a controversial way with Kavumba Elites players complaining.
A jab attempt at Kavumba Elites captain Richard Walusimbi’s head and an offside claim were raised, but referee Julius Kasibante was in good shape to deny the claims.
The goal scored by Shafic Katongole was counted as Mutungo Central got the lead but they couldn’t last longer after facing a strong grinding from Kavumba Elites.
Also in controversial circumstances, a penalty claim was raised and this time round referee answered by pointing on the spot awarding Kavumba Elites.
The penalty was converted by Shem Juuko a sensation on the day who already had a goal from a free kick
disallowed due to offside interactions from Medi Yazid and another goal attempt was cleared off the line.
At 1-1 square Kavumba Elites continued to look good with Jim Ssekandi, Medi Yazid and Juuko playing it all to keep Mutungo under pressure and Jim got a lead with a fabulous finish into the top roof in added time of the first half.
The game went into the break with Kavumba Elites holding a 2-1 advantage but returning for the second stanza things turned differently.
For the entirety remaining part of the game Mutungo Central became unplayable resulting in an equaliser with less than 15 minutes remaining in the game. However, Kavumba Elites had two chances to kill the game and missed by Jim and Shem before Robert Ssentongo Junior arched an equaliser.
The game straight went in spot kicks and Kavumba started by missing when Jim failed to convert but was saved when Tonny Opio struck his effort on woodwork and Shem who turned into a goalkeeper for spots saved Alex Mulindwa’s effort.
Ibrahim Kikabi, Shafic Ssekatawa, Richard Walusimbi and Shem converted for the Kavumba Recreation Center-sponsored side while Juma Kizito Lovin, Muhammad Ssenoga Kagawa and Edrine Bukenya converted for Mutungo Central as the game was untied at 4-3.
