FUFA Women’s Cup: Shocks and No-Shows Mark Round of 32 Kickoff

By: Geoffrey Mugabi

Sunday Results

Kangulumira Public 0-7 She Maroons FC
Uganda Martyrs HS/JT 2-0 Rines SS WFC
Lady Eagles FC 0-3 URA Ladies WFC
Highway Ladies WFC 2(5)-2(6) PISBGC Queens FC
Buhimba Lady Saints 0-7 Makerere University Nansana Women FC 0-3 BUL WFC
Shammah Queens FC 0-2 Jinja United WFC
Dream Girls FC 6-0 Asubo Ladies FC
Ateker WFC 2-1 Lira City Queens FC
Kick It Women FC 1-8 UCU Lady Cardinals
Buddo Christian WFC 0-4 Boni Consili Girls FC Watoto Ladies FC 1(2)-1(3) She Kasese WFC

Fixtures pending:
Sheema Girls vs UPDF WFC
Lamancia Women vs FC Toro Queens
Police WFC vs Pabo United WFC
Buheesi Valley WFC vs Olila HS WFC

The seventh edition of the FUFA Women’s Cup got underway over the weekend on Sunday, 19 April, with a dramatic round of 32 that saw major upsets and several teams fail to honour their fixtures.

A total of 12 teams have already secured their places in the round of 16, while four fixtures remain subject to decisions by the FUFA Disciplinary Panel following no-shows.

One of the biggest upsets came at St Gerald Playground in Lubaga, where regional league side Uganda Martyrs Junior Team stunned 2024 finalists Rines SS WFC with a 2-0 victory.

Quick goals from Lydia Namayanja and Ssanyu Nambuya sealed a memorable win and a place in the next round.

Another regional league outfit, Dream Girls FC, also caused a major upset by eliminating FUFA Women Super League side Asubo Ladies with an emphatic 6-0 victory in Kawempe.

Former finalists She Maroons delivered a dominant performance, thrashing Kangulumira Public 7-0.

Lillian Kasuubo and Judith Sanyu each scored a brace, while Lillian Mutuuzo, Jackline Adong, and Kauthara Naluyima added one goal apiece.

Makerere University WFC also impressed with a commanding 7-0 win over Buhimba Lady Saints, while 2018 champions UCU Lady Cardinals cruised to an 8-1 victory against KICK It Women FC in Masulita.

However, the round was also marred by several no-shows.

FUFA Women Super League side Olila High School WFC, who are also the inaugural winners of the competition, failed to travel for their fixture against Buheesi Valley WFC in Western Uganda.

Their absence adds to a troubling pattern, having already missed league matches against St Noa and Uganda Martyrs earlier this season, which contributed to their relegation.

Elsewhere, UPDF Women FC failed to honour their match against Sheema Girls, FC Tooro Queens did not turn up to face Lamancia Women, and Pabo United WFC missed their fixture against Police Women FC.

As a result, 12 teams have progressed to the round of 16, where they will be joined by eight teams that received byes.

The remaining four slots will be determined by the FUFA Disciplinary Panel.

Defending champions Amus College WFC are among the teams that received a bye, alongside Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC, Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC, Kampala Queens, She Corporate FC, Lady Doves FC, St Noa Girls FC, and Wakiso Hill WFC.