Fort Portal City County have become the first team to reach the semi-finals of the 2025 MTN Kabode Tooro Kingdom Masaza Cup after a gritty 0-0 draw with Kyaka County on Sunday evening at St. Leo’s College Kyegobe.
The top-of-the-table Group A clash may have lacked goals, but it delivered tension, discipline, and tournament-defining implications.
Fort Portal, thanks to a superior goal difference from their earlier 3-0 win over Kibaale, topped the group with four points. Kyaka also finished on four after beating Kibaale 2-0, but they now must wait to see if they qualify as the best runner-up.
Kyaka’s hopes remain very much alive. With two clean sheets and a solid defensive showing, they’re now banking on results from Groups B and C, where current standings suggest no other runner-up will exceed their four-point mark.
Sunday’s match was defined by cautious play from both sides, with few clear chances and plenty of midfield battles. The intensity peaked in the 67th minute when Kyaka’s assistant coach, Barigye Ateenyi, was sent off, adding a fiery moment to an otherwise controlled game.
Fort Portal’s Malik Businge stood out with a composed midfield display and earned Man of the Match honors.
“We played a very good game. Though Kyaka is strong, we managed to hold them at home,” Businge said. “Our focus now is the trophy. We don’t want to repeat the same mistakes like in the past.”
Kyaka official Alex Kansiime praised his team’s focus under pressure, saying, “Our boys knew any loss would’ve ended our journey, so they gave it everything. Getting a draw away at Fort Portal is no small feat.”
With Group A wrapped up, attention now shifts to the remaining matches. In Group B, both Ntoroko and Burahya have three points apiece, with Burahya set to play bottom-placed Kitagwenda.
A draw or win for Burahya would send them through, while the second-placed team in the group would remain on three points or fewer—further tilting the numbers in Kyaka’s favor.
In Group C, the final group match is slated for August 3 when Mwenge North host Mwenge South. Only a win for Mwenge South would take them to four points, meaning their group runner-up would also fall short of Kyaka’s tally.
Unless something dramatic unfolds, Kyaka look set to qualify as the best second-placed team and join Fort Portal in the semis. With the knockout rounds looming, both sides now have their eyes on the prize.
