Nkumba University Students suffer humiliating 3-2 defeat to staff

Nkumba University has a long-standing tradition of holding an orientation football match between new students (freshmen) and university staff. This year, the intense match was held on Friday 5th March, 2021 at the sports ground in Entebbe. The match was organized by the Dean of Students, Mr. Chris Kimuli, along with the students Guild. It was the first official football match after a long 1-year break due to the COVID19 restrictions by Government.

Figure 1. Teams line-up shortly before the match started.

The match started off around 5pm on a sunny evening with the students taking early possession. After taking an early lead in the game thanks to a Nyombi Dennis wonder strike, the staff piled on the pressure against the students. For all the speed, skills moves and constant attacks, the students never looked like a threat; and second staff goal almost looked inevitable.

Figure 2. Nyombi Dennis scores the first goal of the match against students.

After a period of relentless pressure, shortly after half time, the students managed to equalize with a brilliant header. This was quickly cancelled out by a beautifully-taken penalty kick by MOTM, Mr. Sulaiman Bbosa after a body-checking in the students’ box. This built on to the frustrations of the students both on and off the pitch – with many citing referee biases. The Guild Prime Minister, Hon. Kamara Joram spent a sizeable part of the game furiously protesting at the referee. He was overheard threatening to lodge an appeal to the Uganda Football Referees Association (UFRA).

Figure 3. Students look on in dismay as they are humiliated by their elders.

The third goal for the staff came in after a curling lob by Mr. Ssendawula was met by two of the staff attackers. In the 49th minute of the game. A clinical finish to the near post erased all students hopes of winning. None the less, the students, determined to prove themselves, attacked even more furiously but failed to beat the staff goal keeper thrice in 1v1 situations. Mr. Nsubuga Cosovo, the staff shot stopper, managed four incredible saves before eventually letting one through – deep in injury time.

The victors, staff members, were awarded a trophy by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jude T. Lubega. In his speech, Prof. Lubega congratulated the staff and consoled the students. He encouraged engagement in sport as both a healthy life style and also an activity to improve bonding among staff and students. In his closing remarks, Prof. Lubega promised a goat roasting for all participants.