The first of its kind on October 9, 1962 featured Ghana and Kenya as guests and the former went home with the trophy. To mark the 60th year of independence, I have picked some of the memorable games of this mini tournament.
UGANDA vs ZAIRE (1975)
This match was played on October 9, 1975. President Idi Amin had ordered gates to be opened for free and by 2pm, Nakivubo stadium was full to capacity. This Zaire national team had featured in the 1974 Fifa World Cup; so, many Ugandans were eager to watch the players such as Kazadi Mwamba, Kabasu Babo, Ndaye Mulamba, Mwape Mialo, Jean Kalala and Kafula Ngole, among others.
The Cranes squad had the likes of goalie Patrick Nathan, Eddie Semwanga, Ashe Mukasa, Ahmed Doka, skipper jimmy Kirunda, Francis Kulabigwo, Stanley ‘Tanker’ Mubiru, Moses Nsereko, Polly Ouma, Phillip Omondi and Denis Obua.
David Otti’s charges started the game on a high note but they were kept at bay by celebrated goalie Kazadi. Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead on the stroke of half time. They added a second midway through the second half to silence the capacity crowd.
With 20 minutes to go, some fans were headed to the exits when Leo Adraa was introduced in place of Ouma. With his first touch, Adraa sent a 40-yard screamer which left Kazadi rooted to the spot. That consolation was the game’s highlight and from then on, Adraa was nicknamed the Black Bomber.
UGANDA vs KENYA (1986)
That year, Spear Motors Group of Companies sponsored the tournament. The final round of games had Uganda take on Kenya for the top honours. Yet again Nakivubo was full to the brim to watch veteran Phillip Omondi mesmerize opponents. He opened the scores with a low shot on the edge of the box which beat experienced goalie Mohammoud Abbas.
Shortly before half-time, the visitors equalized through dangerman Wilberforce Mulamba after Francis Kadenge’s good work on the flank. On resumption, the game turned into an Omondi-versus-Abbas affair as the latter thwarted every effort thrown against him. With the clock ticking away, Rogers Nsubuga beat the Kenyan offside trap to lay a pass for Omondi, who rounded up Abbas in style before scoring in an empty net.
Omondi completed a hat-trick with a powerful header from a Fred Mukasa cross. Match referee Isaac Mugoya announced his retirement after the game.
UGANDA vs ZIMBABWE (1989)
On this 27th Independence anniversary, The Cranes wanted to use the match as preparation for the Kuwait Peace Games a week later. The newly-assembled Cranes squad ran away easy winners thanks to a Magid Musisi brace and a header from Sula Kato. Musisi’s second was the day’s toast because it had a superb build-up play involving Ronald Vubya and George Nsimbe before Musisi slotted the ball in an empty net.
The team was captained by Richard Mugalu and had Sadiq Wassa, William Nkemba, Sam Kabugo, Isaac Nkaada, Nsimbe, Paul Nkata, Vubya, Paul Nkata, Musisi, Sula Kato and Steven Bogere.
Days later, Zimbabwe played another game against Buganda region at Masaka recreation ground. Buganda won 2-0 courtesy of another Musisi brace. The matches proved to be the perfect buildups as Uganda went on to win the Cecafa Cup title after 12 years.
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