Big League Promotional Playoff: ‘Pro not in Line’ for Bigger Level as Ntungasaze Makes Buganda Region Proud Again
By: kayiirajackson@gmail.com
The Buganda Regional League representatives, Ntungasaze FC booked a Big League place in the next season after eliminating Kampala Region champions, Proline FC.
The Brewers beat Proline FC 2-0 in the second league fixture honoured on Thursday at Phillip Omondi Stadium Lugogo.
Two super substitutes, Michael Kimera and Calvin Peter Emayo scored the two goals that propelled Simon Ddunga Ddungu coached side to Big league.
The hosts Proline came in the game with a 2-1 first leg advantage and their body language was very visible that it was looking for a draw in the second leg fixture.
However, their plans were dismantled by the first half substitute, and a defender, Michael Kimera who headed the visitors in the lead in the stoppage time of first half and sent the two team in the half time break with Ntungasaze on top.
In the second stanza, Ntungasaze continued to press for a second goal and an opportunity landed to the visitors and Calvin Peter Emayo scored the second goal in the 75th minute via a almost 35 yard free kick.
The Mityana based club finally won the tie on 3-2 aggregate and propelled to Big league.
Simon Ddunga Ddungu who has already qualified Mbale Heroes to Uganda premier League revealed to this website why Ntungasaze got promoted to big league.
“I didn’t start with the team, I found them in second position but their mission was the big league promotion.
So as a coach, I only brought togetherness in the team, I found some bit of disorganisation.
However, I didn’t work alone, I thank the management, coaching staff and playing staff. We lost 2-1 at home in the first leg but we sat and reviewed all the mistakes we made in that game, we built on that to win today’s match.”Coach Simon Ddunga Ddungu.
Big League is a money spending level compared to other leagues due to the distance covered by clubs but Ntungasaze Director and President, Latif Yosam Kwezira is not moved citing that they have enough even to get promoted to UPL.
“Our team is sponsored by Imana Yera Company and I am the director in that company and at Ntungasaze, I am the club president.
So we are not scared of the level we reached at, when we were in the fourth division, they told us the Buganda Regional League is tough, now in big league, we hope that the best is ahead of us, we’re going to maintain the squad we have and add more, I hope we shall not fail to make it to super league because its the target.” Ntungasaze president, assured the fans.
This is the second straight time when Buganda Region stops Kampala Region from entering Big league, last season Kiyinda Boys stopped Black Star Masanafu and it was also under the stewardship of Simon Ddunga and now the same coach brought Ntungasaze stopping Proline FC.