MS Sand Lions progressed into the championship playoffs of the 2022/23 FUFA beach soccer league after defeating Grace Church 6-2 in their final league game of the regular season on Sunday.
The win took their points count to 28, six better than Buganda Royal who failed to win all their remaining games to allow the ‘Tiimu Ye’kibuga’ to seal the final last four spot.
Starman Yusuf Joloba scored a hat-trick, with two of his strikes coming in the first period.
Simon Kizito showed up with a brace before Rajab Okello banged in the last nail. Kenny Mugabi and Marvin Ssempijja scored for the Church boys who were without a coach at FUFA technical centre.
Mukiibi Ssemwogerere’s men now sit at the same table with St. Lawrence University, Mutoola and Jinja Lions who had already qualified for the playoffs.
The last mentioned won two of their final three matches, beating Kiringente and Mutoola 9-2 and 5-3 in that order before losing 4-2 to defending champions St. Lawrence as they remained third with 32 points.
St Lawrence’s goalkeeper Meddy Kibirige was sent off for a second bookable offense against Mutoola with the Saints turning to defender Rica Byaruhanga for the role between the uprights.
But despite playing almost two games with a makeshift ‘goalkeeper,’ they maintained their standards with victories against the Sand Giants and Jinja Lions. They won 7-5 and 4-2 to sit at the top of the pile with 43 points.
Mutoola, who finished second, lost to St. Lawrence and Jinja Lions as mentioned above before defeating Buganda Royal 4-1 to gather 36 points.
The championship playoffs and the final will be played on 18th June, 2023 at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
Sunday June 11, 2023 – Full Results:
Kiringente 2-9 Jinja Lions
Mutoola 5-7 St. Lawrence
Kiringente 5-6 Buganda Royal
Jinja Lions 5-3 Mutoola
MS Sand Lions 6-2 Grace Church
Buganda Royal 1-4 Mutoola
Jinja Lions 2-4 St. Lawrence
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