The FUFA Super 8 Tournament is back after a four-year hiatus. The competition that serves as a precursor for StarTimes Uganda Premier League teams ahead of the new season was relaunched on Wednesday morning in a press briefing held at FUFA Complex.
It should be noted that the tournament was held in 2018 and 2019 but there was a halt for the subsequent years due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
According to FUFA Executive Committee Member, Rogers Byamukama who attended the launch of the third edition indicated the tournament returns bigger and better.
“We are excited to have this tournament returning and most importantly, with new energy given the arrival of MTN and Nile Breweries as sponsors. Expect a better competition than the previous editions given the changes made including the playing format that will give an opportunity to every team to play at least three games.” He said.
Douglas Karema, the National Events and Assets Manager at Nile Breweries confirmed they will throw support behind the tournament.
“Nile Breweries has over the years had a good relationship with FUFA and Ugandan football. We believe in promotion of local content and with such a tournament, we believe there is a lot to discover. We therefore promise our commitment and support towards the Super 8 Championship.”
StarTimes Uganda Premier League CEO Bernard Bainamai Bampiire confirmed the changes in the 2023 edition as follows:
The top eight teams from last season’s StarTimes Uganda Premier League will compete in this year’s Super 8 Tournament.
This is a change from the last two editions where the top six from the league and two from the FUFA Big League were considered.
The eight teams that will compete in the 2023 edition include Vipers SC, SC Villa, KCCA FC, URA FC, BUL FC, Wakiso Giants, Arua Hill SC and Maroons FC. This is according to the final table standings from the 2022/23 season.
The top four (Vipers SC, SC Villa, KCCA FC and URA FC) were placed in a different pot while the other pot had Wakiso Giants FC, BUL FC, Arua Hill SC and Maroons FC.
According to Bainamani, in the event any of the aforementioned teams does not take part, the next team(s) as per last season’s positions will be considered upon approval by the FUFA EXCO.
Each of the eight teams taking part in this year’s edition will be guaranteed to play at least three games.
The Winners at the quarterfinal stage will proceed to the semifinals while the losers will play two classification games to determine positions 5-8.
The Winners at the semifinal stage will advance to the final while the losers will play a classification game to determine positions 3 and 4.
The final will be one-leg played at a neutral ground.
The tournament is expected to be played between 4th August – 14th September 2023.
In the quarterfinal draws conducted today, 2019 winners Vipers SC will visit BUL FC, inaugural winners KCCA FC will make a trip to Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium to face Wakiso Giants FC, URA FC will face Arua Hill SC while Maroons FC will be at home to SC Villa.
The dates for the quarterfinal games will be communicated later.
Past Winners
2018 – KCCA FC
2019 – Vipers SC
*Credit: FUFA media.
