By Aaron Okotel
MBALE CITY
Malaba Youth Development Association (MYDA) FC successfully defended the Mbale Super 8 title after overcoming Amus College School 4-3 on penalties in a dramatic final played at Mbale Secondary School on Friday, 21st August, 2026.
The match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, forcing the two sides into a penalty shootout, where MYDA held their nerve to claim back-to-back titles.
“am happy my boys showed out with character,” MYDA coach Robert Omanyi said. “Remember how we started, the first game we drew without even a shot on target, second game we drew without even a goal, I said, what is happening? We’re really the champions. So we went back to the drawing board, Remember, the players are off-season. Most of them have not reported back. But the few I was having, I pushed them.”
MYDA took the lead in the 50th minute when Muhad Lukwata broke through the Amus defence before firing past the goalkeeper.
Amus responded almost immediately, with Mutabazi Denis finding the net from close range two minutes later to level the score.
The school side then went ahead in the 67th minute after MYDA defender Jerry Otai turned the ball into his own net.
However, MYDA refused to surrender the title, with Lukwata completing his brace in the 77th minute to make it 2-2 and send the match to penalties.
Amus missed two of their spot kicks, while MYDA missed one, giving the Malaba-based side a 4-3 victory in the shootout.
The 10th edition of the Mbale Super 8 tournament was sponsored by Abdullah Difee, NRM chairman of Sironko Town Council.
MYDA FC received Shs1 million for winning the tournament, while runners-up Amus College School took home Shs500,000.
Mbale Garage FC, who finished as second runners-up, received Shs300,000.
Ali Sentamu of Kataka FC was named the top scorer and received Shs50,000, while Otim Calvin of Mbale Garage FC was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) prize.
