As the game wore on the smaller Africans showed that fitness and determination can overcome physical presence and Dennis Guma headed in from a corner
Uganda’s Junior Stars
Uganda’s Kampala Kids League (KKL) went top of the FFD Premier Cup after a splendid performance, a 3-1 win over Danish U-16 Academy team Slagelse at Aarhus Academy.
The KKL side, comprised of youthful teenagers from Gulu, Arua, Masaka, and Central region won two trophies in Hillarød-Copenhurgen and Gothia Cups in Gothenburg.
KKL opened their account in Scandinavia’s Elite tournament for Under
16 teams here today in the pouring rain. Despite facing considerably taller and stronger opposition 12 months older than them, KKL put in a tremendous display that saw them pull back from 3-1 down against Norway’s Academy team from Hamkam.
In an 80 minute game played under professional Scandinavia u16 academy rules KKL took a lead midway through the first half through Emma Magembe after a delightful 1-2 with Juma Balinya. Just before half time the Norwegian number 9, Christensson, who towered above KKL’s biggest player, Dennis Guma, rose majestically to powerfully head the ball into the net. Two minutes after the break the giant striker placed another bullet header into the top corner.
The crowd thought it all over a minute later when the Norwegian winger
struck a first time spectacular looping shot that hit the same spot.
But KKL showed that Ugandans do not give up easily. As the game wore on the smaller Africans showed that fitness and determination can overcome physical presence and Dennis Guma headed in from a corner and then KKL frustratingly hit the woodwork 3 times in as many minutes before Anthony Papira hit the equalizer with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Coach Eddie Butindu was pleased with the fight back, “This is a very tough
invite only competition for top academy u16 sides in Scandinavia. It is a
great challenge for us. We are proud to see how our boys are representing
Africa so well.”
In their second encounter in the FFD Premier Cup, KKL’s Ibrahim “Saddam” Juma, back after a 10 day absence through injury, headed the opening goal midway through the second half and Mike Mutyaba made the game safe with two breakaway goals. Slagelse pulled back a consolation goal by Ümid Ghådimi in the last minute.
KKL were pleased to have “Saddam” back on the field again, but there were
more injury worries as 4 KKL players took strong knocks against the older
opposition and may miss today’s final crucial game against Veijle, who are
ranked as one of Denmark’s best Academy clubs having produced a string of
international players.
By press time KKL and Veijle, each with 4 points each and both know that
victory or a draw would see them through to the semis. However a defeat
would allow the big Norwegian team Hamkam to overtake them on goal
difference.
Miwambo writes for The Black Star News from London. He filed this report from Denmark.
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