Under the electric glow of the MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo, KCCA FC delivered a sizzling football spectacle to dismantle FUFA Big League side Kataka FC 3-0 in the first leg of the Stanbic Uganda Cup semi-finals. The emphatic victory puts the Kasasiro Boys in cruise control ahead of the return leg, with one boot already stepping into the grand finale set for Kadiba Stadium in Mengo.
The encounter began with both sides testing the waters, but tension boiled over early when Kataka’s Michael Olinga was booked in the 11th minute for an audacious handball attempt—something straight out of a football comic strip. KCCA’s Usama and Kwikiriza flirted with an opener, the latter rattling the crossbar with a thunderous header that left the crowd gasping in disbelief.
But the lock was finally picked just before halftime, and oh, what a pick it was! Emmanuel Anyama, deep into stoppage time (45+2), unleashed a venomous strike that sent the fans into delirium. He returned from the break with fireworks in his boots, smashing home another rocket in the 49th minute that could grace any highlight reel. Ashraf Mugume then wrapped up the feast with a composed finish in the 81st minute, sealing a mouthwatering 3-0 scoreline.
The match had its fair share of drama with the referee’s book getting plenty of action. Shafik Kwikiriza, Saul Bukoma, James Mubezi, and Peter Magambo were all handed yellows as tempers simmered. KCCA’s depth was also on display, with tactical substitutions bringing fresh flair as Joao Gabriel, Yian Gatbel, Sammy Ssebaduka, and Sadat Anaku all made impactful cameos.
With swagger in their step and the scoreboard smiling, KCCA now approaches the return leg with champagne dreams of continental football. Kataka, on the other hand, will need nothing short of a miracle to turn this script around. If the Kasasiro Boys keep this rhythm, the 51st edition’s crown might just be theirs for the taking.
Photo: Kamira Asha
