Lack of sports infrastructure continues to negatively impact the growth and development of sport in Uganda, with football, the most popular sport in this country and the world, taking the front.
The Mandela National Stadium, Namboole saga involving Kitara and SC Villa in the past fortnight was unacceptable as it exposed a host of stakeholders.
The stadium is going through its final stages of renovation, and both Kitara and Villa would understand, after all this was the reason stated in the letters of rejection addressed to both clubs, as they sought to use the facility for continental engagements.
Unfortunately, the latter didn’t understand and managed to maneuver through as the former sought asylum in Libya.
“If the stadium is unavailable for us on Friday, then, what improved in the 24 hours for it to be available for Villa?” That must have been the question for the Kitara contingent that was set to travel to Libya when they heard of the double standards.
Not only those affiliated with Kitara were pondering, but the general public including those attached to Villa. That’s nevermind some who were bragging to the fact they are the ‘biggest club’ in this country.
Until three days to the game, the stadium renovation contractors UPDF Engineering Brigade didn’t know about Villa hosting Commercial Bank of Ethiopia at Namboole in the CAF Champions League if we’re to go by the words of Lt Col Eng. Peter Seku Kidemuka ‘no team is going to play from here’.
The above is a clear indication that there was a step of the ladder skipped by Villa in appealing the earlier decision by the stadium management that the facility wasn’t ready for game and yes it’s true because a word from the Villa camp when contacted by NBS Sport was that they went through the ‘sub contractor’ though they were hesitant in providing more details.
After Kidemuka’s revelation on Tuesday, everyone would agree there was a loophole somewhere, and it was now panic mode with the game in sight and it was set to be a walkover result for CBE if Villa weren’t going to host from Namboole on Saturday.
It had to take the State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang’s intervention to try and find a solution for the matter and a meeting that involved stakeholders from the stadium and Villa especially the club President Umar Mandela settled for the Uganda Premier League champions to use the stadium.
Ogwang apologised to Kitara but since the damage was already inflicted hopefully there will be a better way to ensure that it makes sense since nothing makes sense in the whole scenario.
Although Kitara’s maiden adventure on the continent ended in a 3-2 defeat against Al Hilal, Benghazi in the Confederation Cup, probably it would have been a different result had they played from home, wouldn’t you agree with me?
Without their ever supportive fans, Brian Ssenyondo’s charges had a scrappy start to the game conceding twice in the opening 20 minutes but fought hard leaving themselves with a chance to advance despite going a man down at the restart when goalkeeper Chrispus Kusiima was sent off.
On the other hand, Villa were largely on the receiving end throughout the game eventually lost 2-1 to CBE and finished a man less following Charles Lwanga’s red card in stoppage time.
It was a tough experience for the Jogoos who almost played in an empty stadium with their faithful not turning up due to what they called ‘hefty entrance fees’, UGX 50,000/= for the ordinary ticket.
Kitara and Villa will return to action next weekend for the return legs of their respective first round of the preliminaries. The former will remain in Libya while the latter will travel to Ethiopia.
