The 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup kicked off on Sunday with the host stunned 2-0 by Ecuador to start their campaign on a losing note.
The excitement and anticipation saw football fans from all walks of life come together to catch a glimpse of opening night.
In and around Kampala, fans came together at different hang out spots to witness hosts Qatar kick off against Ecuador on giant screens with the global showpiece now underway.
Within the sports hub of Lugogo, crowds at sports grounds shared in drinks, food and chatted the night away as they ushered in the long-awaited 22nd edition.
At the hockey grounds, Nile breweries through Nile Special hosted invited guests to an evening full of soccer, music and pleasantries, Nile Breweries marketeer, Johnson Ssebuggwawo reveals details, “Sports and football has the ability to unite people from different walks of life, so as Nile Special we aim to create memorable drinking experiences and through watch parties like this.”
“We want to create a platform to enable Ugandans support the Uganda Cranes through our Cranes Kabbo campaign as we remit shs 50 off every Nile Special purchase.”
At the home of rugby, Kyadondo rugby club, football followers enjoyed the opening night in the company of friends and fellow enthusiasts as Uganda rugby union general secretary, Peter Odong explains,
“It’s an amazing opportunity the World cup coming back after four years having been through the Covid period. I will be supporting France all the way and the country has a good sporting history.”
While at Legends grounds, football fans equally witnessed the start of the month-long football showpiece, “I expect Brazil to win the world cup and my best player Neymar is also playing. The world cup being hosted in Qatar speaks volumes about how diverse football is and also Qatar is not a traditional football playing nation but it’s a good thing,” rugby player and football fan, Desire Ayera noted.
The 2022 FIFA Qatar World cup will be played between 20 November- 18 December with 32 teams vying for the ultimate prize.
