BUL make Vipers pay for Namboole's Shs97b new look

FOOTBALL | Jeromy Kirya slid home an inviting pass to hand BUL a crucial win in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, on Wednesday.

Kirya's 27th minute goal is the first scored inside the national stadium in four years after it reopened to football again.

The victory takes BUL to summit with 49 points from 26 games, one point to the good of Bunyoro's fairytale wonder landers Kitara.

Both sides have just three games to play and are dreaming of becoming the first team outside Kampala in more than 30 years to win the Ugandan topflight title.

But Vipers, who have looked fang-less whenever it mattered most so often this season, still hold the edge as they seek to win a third title on the bounce.

The Kitende-based side have a game in hand and a better goal difference to Jinja-based edible oil makers BUL.

Namboole has been undergoing a Shs97 billion refurbishment to meet the Confederation of African Football and global governing body Fifa's standards to host international games.

On Labour Day, the stadium opened its gates to action, hosting a double header as BUL took on Vipers in a top-of-the-table clash with Villa and KCCA playing the other game under the floodlights.

The two fixtures are billed at test matches for the only stadium in the country that could pass the strict standards as Uganda joins Kenya and Tanzania in a sumptuous dream to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.

These match attracted over 27,000 fans who were optimistic to see the progress

📹 Goal by Jeromy Kirya for BUL FC.#BULVIP | #StarTimesUPL pic.twitter.com/9QLKaFzBjo

— StarTimes Uganda Premier League (@UPL) May 1, 2024

By midday the doors were already open to football fans who moved to witness the first football matches hosted at Namboole after over two years of having no football at the national stadium.

These were welcomed by the technology at the check point where they were made to scan their tickets before accessing the venue.

These couldn't hide their excitement to be back as Namboole and many were seen taking historical pictures and selfies.

This excitement would be taken in the stadium which saw a great number turn up to cheer their respective teams

These commended the works done at the stadium and said hosting the first match is a sign that the country is good to go much as there are some things which are pending.

The flood lights, the screen, and the clock are some of the things yet to be completed.

The contractors are hopeful these will be fixed in a period of not more than two weeks before CAF inspectors return to inspect it.