Martyrs Lubaga BSC reclaimed the women’s beach soccer festival title to remain the only side to have won the competition following their triumph at the maiden edition in 2021

Coming from a goal down to defeat Nansana Ladies 5-3 in a thrilling final contest at Mutoola Resort Beach in Mukono. To reach this stage, Uganda Martyrs defeated Gomba Ladies 6-3 in the semi-final, while Nansana Ladies eased past Kampala Junior Team 6-0 at the same stage to set up a repeat of last year’s final.

During the hugely contested affair, Nansana drew the first blood and opened the scoring through Justin Najjuko, but Rogers Nkugwa’s girls soon started to rediscover their former selves and levelled the game through Fatuma Nakasumba’s penalty goal before the end of the first period.

Soon Nansana’s problems started creeping in as their only trusted goalkeeper Daphine Nyayenga was forced off because of a back problem and her place between the sticks was filled by Stella Namisango, an outfield player. As expected, Uganda Martyrs hit three to lead 4-1 at the end of the second period as Catherine Nagadya scored twice and Nakasumba added another immediately after the stand-in goalkeeper came on.

Nyayenga returned to the fray in the last period after receiving treatment and Nansana started to look balanced and motivated, and almost came back in the game when Cissy Nantongo and Namisango struck goals for their side but Nagadya rose to the occasion to complete her hat trick and seal the victory for her side.

In the classification match, Gomba Ladies defeated KJT 4-1 to win the bronze medals.

The champion went home with half a million USD in prize money. Catherine Nagadya scooped the top scorer’s award after netting fifteen goals and she was also voted as the most valuable player of the festival. And Daphine Nyayenga won the best goalkeeper award.

Other individual award winners were Leticia Nakyeyune of KJT and Rogers Nkugwa of Uganda Martyrs as the best young player and best coach respectively. Debutants Nile Queens from Jinja won the fair play award.

Standings

Champion – Uganda Martyrs
Runners up – Nansana Ladies
Third-placed team – Gomba Ladies

Individual Awards

Best coach – Rogers Nkugwa (Uganda Martyrs)
Best young player – Leticia Nakyeyune (Kampala Junior Team)
Top scorer – Catherine Nagadya (15 goals)
MVP – Catherine Nagadya (Uganda Martyrs)
Best goalkeeper – Daphine Nyayenga (Nansana Ladies)
Fair play award – Nile Queens

The Uganda Women’s Beach Soccer Cup is organised by the Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA) in conjunction with the Uganda Women’s Football Association (UWFA).

Source: UBSA