Another LMC Cup of Masaka has come to an end and in two of the mos-t closely contested finals the tournament has known it was Ball-line Tigers who were crowned Junior Champions, and Emmanuel Hotspurs, formerly The White Eagle's Dappers of Devastation, who took an unprecedented 4th straight title in the Senior Section.
BALL-LINE TIGERS TAKE CUP IN EPIC PENALTY SHOOT-OUT!
In the Junior Final, no one could had expected the drama that would unfold. Ball-line Tigers, with their silky passing moves and pace up front had a dream start when Kabanda was upended in the box and the Referee pointed to the spot.
The dream turned into a nightmare however when Kabanda blazed his penalty well over the bar and out of the stadium. He redeemed himself only minutes later when a bouncing ball caught the Hipipo keeper in no-man's land and Kabanda slotted an easy header into an empty net for 1-0.
The joy was short lived. Hipipo were stirred into action and as they pressed for an equaliser they were awarded their own penalty as Kaketo handled inside the box. Semugenyi kept a cooler head then his adversary Kabanda had earlier done and cracked his penalty beyond Muyimba. 1-1 at half time.
The second half was a story of missed chances and moments of keeping brilliance. 1-1 it remained and the title would be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
It was Hipipo who drew first blood, slotting their first penalty whilst the Tigers hit the post. Each subsequent player kept a cool head and left the score at 4-3 with Hipipo's Keeper stepping up knowing that all he had to do was to score in order to cover himself with glory and allow his team to take the cup. He powered it towards the bottom left hand corner but Muyimba went the right way and clasped the ball into his chest to send the Tigers fan's into a frenzy. Umaru still had to score for the Tigers, and did so with aplomb sending the shoot out into sudden death.
Both teams scored their first, 5-5....and their second,6-6....
…But with the pressure mounting Hipio's Kityo put his strike against the post. There was a moment of confusion as ecstatic Tigers fan's and even manager Walusimbi, stormed the pitch thinking they had won! The refs quickly dispersed the crowd pointing out that the Tigers still had to score their penalty.
Up stepped Kabanda, top goal scorer with 10 goals to his name. Could he put his earlier penalty miss out of his mind?? The answer was yes as he spanked the ball firmly beyong the flailing keeper. Kabanda fell to the ground and was soon immersed in his fellow Tigers and crazed supporters. An amazing end to a fabulous encounter.
EMMANUEL HOTSPURS RETAIN TITLE IN HARD ERANED VICTORY OVER NTAKE.
Emmanuel Hotspurs, defending champions and tournament favourites Vs Ntake F.C., arch rivals and the only real team capable of toppling the Hotspurs from their pedestal, was a game widely anticipated here in Nyendo.
As the sun finally beat down on a rain-drenched pitch that had only been made playable thanks to “Dan the Man” and his trusty jerry can, used to remove the standing water, the crowds were in good song at Kasana and knew they were in for a treat.
Like any good derby, the tone was set early with some crunching challenges and 2 yellow cards in the first 10 minutes. Neither side were going to take any prisoners!
As the first half moved on it was the Hotspurs who seemed to settle. Their tight control and one touch passing put Fred through on the right who’s cross was blocked providing the Hotspurs with a corner. Fred’s delivery from the corner was “Beckhamess” and Kalisa was left unmarked at the back to power in the first for the Hotspurs.
Into the second half and the match was well balanced. The Hotspurs pressed for the second but Ntake always looked dangerous on the counter.
Ntake had a glorious chance to equalise when Walusimbi, usually so sturdy at the back, played a criminal pass across his own box allowing Owen to steal in. Walusimbi scrambled across and did just enough to put Owen off who blazed high and wide. It was a sitter that should really have hit the net but instead the ball went clean out of the stadium, over the houses and took several minutes to retrieve. In this short interlude the crowd were entertained as Crichlow the Cow broke loose of his fastening and made a bolt for freedom across the pitch. Criclow was eventually subdued and showed his dismay by pooing next to the corner flag!
Minutes later the Hotspurs had the second they had pushed for, A sweeping move sliced the Ntake defence apart and Sam, bearing down on goal, unselfishly laid it off for Javira to dink past the keeper and give the Hotspurs some breathing room.
Ntake’s almost unbelievable miss from 6 yards 5 minutes later was a sign that it was not their day and Emmanuel Hotspurs saw out the match, 2-0 winners and Champions Once again!!
