Former Uganda Cranes captain Geoffrey Massa is still a great ‘net burster’ according to his performance on Friday as Cranes sponsors Nile Special launched their 5-aside inter-bar football tournament at Katikati restaurant grounds.
Massa scored twice as the Ex-international put six past Uganda sports press association (USPA) in the historical maiden match of the competition.
USPA General Secretary Johnson Were also scored the historical first goal of the competition as USPA took the lead before losing 6-1. “I am still fresh but not so fit. I train to keep myself physically fit,” noted Massa, played alongside Hassan Muburu, Richard Malinga, Edward Kalungi, Sam Kawalya, Iddi Ssebalata, Fred Tamale among others. The Ex-international also beat Pool nest bar, Kireka at the finals to claim the winners’ prize.
Francis Nyende, the Nile Special Brand Manager says that the competition will trudge the whole country starting at the township level where two teams will qualify to the 32-team regional tier.
Four teams will then qualify for each regional level to the national finale that will comprise of 16 teams; four from each region. “Entry into the competition will require some one buy four bottles of Nile special beer and register his team at any outlet we shall announce at our social media platforms. We expect 250 teams to take part with the winning team at the national finale will then compete at the Africa 5-aside tournament in Tanzania where the overall winning team will earn an all expense paid European tour in the company of 2000 and 2002 AFCON winner, also Cameroon legend Samuel Et’o,” noted Nyende, who added that the competition is strictly for amateur persons who are above 18 years of age.
“It is a social football league, meant to provide a platform for friends to come together over a beer and also enjoy a kick-around,” he added. The finale will also feature a ladies 5-aside competition with the winner also making the trip to Tanzania for the continental 5-aside.
