Uganda’s inaugural Guinness Night Football programme came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday 7 December, where there were fun activities aplenty during a memorable night in Kampala.
Fans, a bottle of Guinness rarely far from their reach, enjoyed playing PlayStation in one area, while others fought it out at different foosball tables to the soundtrack of a DJ Ciza masterclass on the turntables.
It was at this one-stop centre that Uganda’s Guinness Night Football reached a climax; the winning 5-a-side team were crowned, the best foosball team were named, while three players were chosen to go to the Pan African football extravaganza.
And if that wasn’t enough, with two queen dancers in tow, Uganda’s female dancehall superstar Cindy entertained revellers during a seven-hour fun-filled event by performing some of her biggest hits, including Copy Cat and Boom Party.
In between, merrymakers observed the semi-finals of the 5-aside football, with Super 7 beating Naguru 6-2 in the Human Foosball final, and Anthony Joshua beating Andy Ruiz to reclaim his heavyweight titles.
Soon, the final to decide the best 5-aside team in the country kicked off, as Team 13 took on Fort Portal’s Uganda Pentecostal University (UPU) students.
The finale pitted together the best teams from the regional centers, as the finest 5-a-side players from Kampala, Fort Portal (Western Uganda) and Mbale in the East converged for the chance to be crowned champions.
At the end of 10 minutes, the finalists required penalties to decide a winner, with a tense atmosphere gripping spectators.
Andrew Kabuura, the primary emcee of the event, hyped up the action as the drama intensified: “Listen guys,” he began, “we are taking only three people to Nigeria, three!
“This is how it’s going to work: The overall champions of the 5-aside, and the champions of human foosball are each going to pick their respective two best players that will travel to the final, with each team also choosing their best freestylers - with the best joining the three.”
Walter Solomon Muleyi, 28, ultimately ensured Team 13 won the title, dispatching his penalty in a 4-3 shootout triumph to guarantee a trip to Nigeria for his side.
“It has been such a wonderful journey, and I thank Guinness for bringing this to us,” said Muleyi. “I’m excited, very excited, and as we go to Nigeria, I’m telling them: ‘Watch out!’”
Big occasions call for big performing acts, and it had to be Big Trill, the man whose Party After Party song is rocking continental airwaves, to welcome champions - Team 13 - onto the podium.
As the captain hoisted the silverware aloft, Big Trill strolled through the hits, and the winning team drunk Guinness from the trophy mug.
“This is just the beginning,” said Guinness Uganda Brand Manager Cathy Twesigye. “There is so much more to come. Our focus is on you, the fans, you are made of more.”
UPU’s Andrew Asiimwe, a student, won the freestyle competition to join Muleyi and Kassa Ahmed, the best player as chosen by Human Foosball champions, the Super 7.
The journey to the final will be Asiimwe’s first time on board a plane.
“First of all, I thank God so much because the truth is, I didn’t think I would be here,” he said
Asiimwe, whose every dribble, nudge and touch of the ball was met with a roar of appreciation from the adoring fans at the UMA Hall.
“I have been in touch with my mum and she has been praying for me,” he added. “I thank Guinness for making this happen. I’m humbled and excited.”
Super 7’s best player in human foosball, Kassa, is multi-talented.
Just last year, he was the MVP as Kampala University were promoted to Division One, of the Uganda’s National Basketball League.
“For me, football is a passion,” said the KU shooting guard after netting a hat-trick in his side’s 6-2 victory over Naguru in the human foosball final.
“It is my other love, although basketball is what I play most.
“I was at university and some friends called me [to tell me that] there is this Guinness competition, and that I should come and join them.
“I couldn’t have made a better decision,” he continued. “We thank Guinness for the opportunity. You never know where this will lead me.”
Bernard Olupot, one of Guinness’s ambassadors at the event, is a Manchester United fan and SC Villa publicist.
“As a footballer myself,” Olupot began, “it’s clear to me that football and Guinness are a perfect combination.
“Anybody who has been following football on the continent and outside knows that those two; Guinness and football, are made for each other. They are made of more
“It’s a great event and I have enjoyed this thoroughly. For Goal Africa fans, all I can say is: let’s continue growing our game with the brand.”
Lillian Atugonza, an accountant and staunch Manchester United fan, also played at the event.
“I loved it,” she said. “I like the whole element of meeting up and networking as we take in the game we all enjoy, thanks to Guinness.”
Deus Bugembe, a regular 5-a-side competitor, enjoyed watching the GNF action unfold alongside a bottle of Guinness.
“I cannot complain,” he said, “I couldn’t have been at a better place this evening. Everything I want to watch and drink is here.”
As well as Uganda, Guinness Night Football is hitting Nigeria, Kenya and Cameroon, with all three set to contribute winning players to the grand finale.
The aim, according to Guinness Uganda Brand manager Cathy Twesigye, “is to provide football lovers with the opportunity to enjoy a night of football like they have never experienced before.”
At the final, Uganda’s three players will join those from the other aforementioned countries at an epic Pan African football extravaganza that will include 5-a-side football matches, football-skill showcases and much more.
They will also have a chance to meet famous celebrity football fans as well as share in the universal love of the beautiful game.
