Uganda: FUFA Ditches Proline From The Bell Beer Party
By Katongole Kiwanuka – The Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) has kicked Proline out of the quarterfinals action of the knockout Bell Uganda Cup for fielding ineligible players. Proline won the game 5-4 on spot kicks. Baza will instead now meet holders Victors.
FUTILE Goalkeeper Mugabi saved from the spot during the contested game (Photo by John Batanudde)
In a letter endorsed by competitions committee secretary Moses Magogo, Proline used Abubaker Tabula, Simon Namwanja and Fahad Serumu during the elimination game against Baza Holdings without valid licenses. Magogo explains that Proline must only seek solace from the disciplinary committee because organisers do not listen to teams’ opinions.
“As far as I am concerned, they (Proline) used ineligible players something that contradicts the tournament rules,” he told Pepper Sport from South Africa. Magogo adds that since the league is run by an independent body, FUFA agreed to have all players’ names submitted and endorsed. “All clubs got a document from us that we endorsed which required every player to be registered by us. That’s what we recognise,” said Magogo. Proline coach and proprietor Mujib Kasule however cries foul of the decision saying it was a misjudgement.
The Real Baza Baza Holdings FC is based at Katwe behind Nakivubo Blue P/S playground. It is owned by Bashir Kamanzi a veteran who owns a restaurant and a welding workshop. Kamanzi is also the chairperson of the Kampala veterans’ NRM taskforce in the Central Division. They were reinstated in the draws for the last 32 teams despite being eliminated earlier by Friends of Football. They have a host of experienced players and former ex-internationals Bobic Odowa and Kefa Kisala run.
The quarterfinal games will be played between April 23 and 24, while the final is scheduled for July 11. Uganda Breweries through the Bell brand injected Shs100m into the competition where the winner bags shs12m.
