Busoga Masaza Cup Quaterfinals
Budiope vs Bukono – 12pm (Friday, 8th November 2024)
Bugabula vs Busiki (Friday, 8th November 2024)
Kigulu vs Buzaaya (Saturday, 9th November 2024)
Butembe vs Bunha (Saturday, 9th November 2024)
Football fans in Budiope County are positive they will triumph over Bukono County in the first quarter-final of the ongoing MTN Busoga Masaza Cup after Bugweri County refused to honour a rematch as directed by the tournament organizing committee giving Budiope a smooth path to the last eight.
The two sides were supposed to meet again in Irundu Town Council to complete a fixture that was abandoned when the goalkeeper of Budiope, Musa Matende, collapsed on the pitch in the 38th minute during the last group match on 6th October 2024.
With Bugweri a no-show, the referees on 3rd November 2024, awarded Budiope FC three points and three goals to take them to the top of the Nendha Group; subsequently setting them up against Bukono who finished second behind Bugabula in Mawembe Hill Group.
Budiope FC who have been underdogs in the tournament for years have convincingly made their mark in this year’s tournament – they beat Bulamogi home and away, picked four points off Bugweri and beat Busiki in Irundu where they have been hosting their home games; they lost in Busiki.
The publicist for Budiope FC, Andrew Kitimbo, says the team has shown its true potential. “We have come this long because we are a good team with the potential to bring the trophy to Budiope. From the start, we believed in the team and they have not disappointed us,” Kitimbo opined.
The chief executive officer of Budiope FC, Julius Mirimu, noted that they are not taking anything for granted. “We understand what is at stake and what can fail us so we are not leaving any room for complacency,” Mirimu noted.
He added the team will build on its strengths and improve where necessary as the technical team advises. “We have learnt a lot from the Group stage games and we are taking this experience to the knockout stage,” he said.
Owekitibwa Ivan Kirya, the Minister of Finance in ObwaKyabazinga Bwa Busoga, and a passionate supporter of Budiope FC, committed to offering the team the necessary logistical support to represent them well in the remaining part of the tournament.
The team has sustained itself in the tournament with donations from Badiope and friends of Budiope who have donated financial, in-kind and moral support to the team.
The head coach of Budiope FC, Isa Kifuwa, expressed a strong belief in his squad and its ability to conquer Bukono, a team he coached in last year’s edition. Budiope FC will to an extent rely on Kifuwa’s understanding of Bukono as a team.
“Bukono is a team I know very well because I was with them last season. I will use this advantage as leverage to get positive results. We are going to Bugembe to win and participate in the semi-finals,” a confident Kifuwa roared.
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