Makerere University’s hopes of advancing in the Pepsi University Football League (UFL) are hanging by a thread after a shocking 1-0 loss to Kumi University on Friday. A decisive second-half header from Omega Kisale secured an unexpected victory for Kumi, leaving Makerere on the brink of a historic early exit. The defeat has sent shockwaves through the tournament, raising serious doubts about Makerere’s ability to progress to the quarterfinals.
The setback is particularly jarring given Makerere’s emphatic 5-0 demolition of Kumi in their previous encounter. However, Friday’s result underscores the unpredictable nature of football, where past triumphs offer no guarantees for future success. With their fate no longer entirely in their hands, Makerere must now shift their focus to a must-win clash against Victoria University. Anything less than victory will all but confirm their elimination from the competition.
Even if Makerere secures three points, their qualification hopes hinge on the outcome of Ndejje University’s impending showdown with Kumi. A Ndejje victory would spell disaster for Makerere, but a draw or a loss for Ndejje would breathe life into their dwindling campaign. This nerve-wracking equation has turned the final group-stage fixtures into a high-stakes drama, with Makerere’s fate resting as much on external results as on their own performance.
The gravity of the situation is further amplified by the historical implications of an early exit. If Makerere fails to advance, it will mark the first time both Makerere University and Makerere University Business School (MUBS) have failed to reach the quarterfinals in the same season. Such an outcome would be a significant blemish on the legacy of one of Uganda’s most storied university football powerhouses.
With their backs against the wall, Makerere faces an acid test of resilience and character. Can they rise to the occasion and keep their UFL dreams alive, or will this campaign be remembered as one of their most humbling collapses? The answer lies in their ability to seize the moment against Victoria University—and in the hands of fate as they await Kumi’s clash with Ndejje.
