Kyambogo and MUBS to face off in 2018 Pepsi University league opener

Since its inception in 2012, the university football league has grown to become one of the major feeder tournaments to several local clubs.

For the five years it has run, over six players have crossed to some of the most established local clubs.

Among the notable players are KCCA FC midfielder Muzamiru Mutyaba, Onduparaka FC’s duo of Vianne Sekajugo and Abel Eturude plus URA FC’s Odong Mathew, all products of Kampala University. Others include former Nkumba University Midfielder Yasser Mugerwa who plies his trade at Ethiopia’s Fazil Kenema, new KCCA FC recruit Musa Essenu who featured for MUBS and Mbarara City’s Musinde Siraje formerly of Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

With the seventh edition two days away, local football scouts should be bracing for another chance to identify talents to recruit for their respective local clubs.

The first Kick of the 2018 season will be at the Kyambogo University home grounds as they take on the two time champions and double finalists Makerere University Business School, (MUBS).

YMCA will then take on Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Buwambo the following day.

According to the chairman of the league, Kisenyi Vincent, there are plans to increase the number of teams next season from 16 to 24.

“At the end of the entire league the bottom four in each of these groups will face relegation and come next season they should be able to play against another four to qualify .and we shall increase the number of competing teams from 16 to 24”

This year, the prize money has been increased from 15 to 24 million to be shared by all competing teams according to their performance.

A cash prize of 4million awaits the winner, three and two Million for the third and fourth placed teams respectively, while each of the other participating teams will part with one million.

After the group stages the top two teams from each group will face off in knock outs.

The finals will be held on the 10 of November at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.

Shafiq Bisaso’s Uganda Martyrs are the defending champions having edged Charles Ayiekho’s MUBS 2-0 in the final at Namboole.