Sunday, 4pm
Busoga vs Tooro, Bugembe
Kampala vs Rwenzori, Luzira
West Nile vs Bunyoro, Zombo
Acholi vs Karamoja, Gulu
Ankole vs Sebei, Ntungamo
Bugisu vs Kigezi, Mbale
Bukedi vs Teso, Butaleja
The second edition of FUFA Drum tournament officially kicked off on Saturday at Mukono Bishops SSS as hosts Buganda started title deefense with a 1-0 win at Lango province in the opener courtesy of Viane Ssekajugo’s 7th minute strike. The games continuing this Sunday at different venues across the country. This season looks to be even more exciting after all the 16 provinces summoned the best of football talent rooting from their areas (provinces) on top of hiring reputable coaches to handle the respective teams. Pepper Sport digs into the coaches that are handling the 16 province teams partaking in the 2019 FUFA Drum as ancestry is celebrated whilst ensuring patriotism and talent search.
David Obua -Lango
The former Uganda Cranes assistant captain and play maker, David Obua is no doubt a respectable football person. He commands more respect as a player though than a coach as is yet to prove his managerial potential. He most recently handled the Maroons junior side after quitting the senior team following the departure of former boss George Nsimbe. The 34-year old will handle Lango that failed to make it out of the group last season.
Alex Isabirye -Buganda
Currently in charge of relegation threatened Nyamityobora, Alex Isabirye is the reigning champion and the tournament’s inaugural best coach. Buganda started off the inaugural edition on a low tone due to the coaching flaws of David Mutono before signing up Isabirye, who started with a draw against Acholi in Gulu as Buganda progressed to the last eight as runners up behind Acholi.
Charles Ayiekoh -Busoga
Charles Ayiekoh is one of the respectable coaches in the country. Currently handling MUBS in the Pepsi University football league and the national beach soccer league, Ayiekoh will still handle the Busoga province after guiding it to semi finals last year where they fell to West Nile.
Wasswa Bbosa –Kampala
On paper, Kampala province turns out to be one of the favourites. The province that lost to eventual champions Buganda at the quarter finals will still be handled by Wasswa Bbosa, who is also premier league side Tooro United’s coach. Bbosa is one fierce coach in such tournaments –having previously won the defunct MTN-Fufa Inter region tournament.
Livingstone Mbabazi –Ankole
Having impressed at Mbarara City this season, there would be no better option than Livingston Mbabazi to handle the Ankole province team. Mbabazi has led Mbarara City to fourth place currently in the premier league and as ‘a son of the soil, Ankole province fans feel they have the best coach to steer the side that fell 3-0 to Busoga on aggregate at the quarter finals last season.
Richard Makumbi –Bunyoro
A new face in the competition but not at the coaching platform, Richard Makumbi will be handling Bunyoro province as the ‘land of oil’ seeks better performance. Makumbi is much known for his record number of teams he guided to promotion and will be a threat to his opponents –no doubt. Bunyoro did not make it out of the group last season.
Richard Malinga –Teso
KCCA FC junior team coach Richard Malinga will take charge of Teso province. Not so much experienced as a coach, but no one doubts Malinga’s football intelligence during his playing time as an overlapping right back. Teso did not progress from group last year and Malinga will be tasked to at least lead the side out of the group this season after replacing Frank Anyau.
Umar Loi –West Nile
Umar Abdullah Loi was retained as the head coach for West Nile province, having led the side to the finals last season where they lost to Buganda province 2-1 over the two legs. West Nile has one of the best squads in the tournament and they topped their group last season.
Vincent ‘Titi’ Tumusiime -Kigezi
A new member in the FUFA Drum tournament but the youthful tactician can spot the best young talent to put up a challenge. Titi currently manages Kampala University (KU) in the Pepsi University football league (UFL) albeit the side struggling –with less hopes of making it out of the group this season. Titi has won two UFL titles with KU. Kigezi did not make it out of the group last term, having finished at the bottom.
Fred Muhumuza –Tooro
Despite not making it out of the group, Tooro united have retained Fred Muhumuza as head coach. The former St Leos-Kyegobe, Makerere University, Victors and SC Villa player will hope to do better this term since he has full backing of Tooro kingdom led by the king.
Stephen Pritchard –Rwenzori Â
Rwenzori province finished at the bottom of the group last term but have retained their head coach Stephen Pritchard hoping to do better, having failed to register any win last season.
Charles Namakola –Bukedi
Bukedi was the surprise package of the inaugural FUFA Drum tournament. Not only they made it out of the group as runners up, they also pushed hard up to the semi finals after seeing off Acholi at the quarter finals. Experienced Coach Charles Namakola will still be the man in charge as KCCA FC’s Julius Poloto again captains the Bukedi ship.
Moses Okiror –Karamoja
No one can blame Karamoja province for failure to progress out of the group and finishing at the bottom. The area less known for football instead needs applaud for their only win of the tournament. Karamoja that beat Ankole 2-1 will have Moses Okiror as their head coach.
Geoffrey Akena –Acholi
Having served as the assistant head coach, Geoffrey Akena will start the season as the Acholi province head coach this time round. Acholi topped the group last season but fell to dark horses Bukedi at the last eight. This season, Akena hopes to make amendments and see his side achieve more than last season.
John Cherotich –Sebei
Just Rwenzori, Sebei never registered any win last season. No surprise, as Sebei is best known for athletics –producing the international golden runners of the country. The side retained their coach John Cherotich as they seek their first win of the tournament.
Godfrey ‘Toldo’ Arach
Bugisu progressed to the quarter finals as runners up in their group last season behind Busoga. Just as last season, Godfrey ‘Toldo’ Arach will be the man on the bench for Bugisu, whose side fell to West Nile at the last eight. Goal keeper cum striker James Alitho was the tournament’s inaugural top scorer and will be looking forward to clinch another gong this season.