The ninth edition of the Aliguma Foundation Banda Slums Soccer Tournament is off to a blistering start, with the competition heating up at the Acholi Quarters Playground. Since its grand opening on November 24, the tournament has become a beacon of both sporting excellence and social change, with a total of 60 teams, including women’s teams and children’s American football displays, vying for glory.
This year’s tournament, running under the theme "Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce," brings together the vibrancy of football with the pressing need for environmental sustainability.
The UEFA Foundation for Children-facelifted Acholi Quarters Playground has provided an electric atmosphere, perfectly complementing the tournament’s aim to raise awareness about waste management and encourage eco-friendly practices.
9th AF Banda Slums Soccer Tournament
Collated Results - Group A
AQ Galacticos 4-1 Nakawa FC
Alur FC 3-0 Kasenyi FC
Alur FC 0-2 Nakawa FC
AQ Galacticos 3-0 Kasenyi (walkover)
Results - Group B
Luigi FC 4-3 Kawanga FC
Mbuya FC 1-0 Yellow Bar
Yellow Bar FC 3-0 Happy Street (walkover)
Mbuya Young 2-0 Banda Select
Banda Select 0-1 Luigi
Kawanka FC 3-0 Happy Street (walkover)
Results - Group C
Bolingo FC 1-2 Nakawa Boyz
Kiganda Young 0-1 AQ Raiders
Kiganda Young 1-1 Nakawa Boyz
Works 1-1 Kiganda Young
Works 1-3 Barracks
Results - Group D
Kiganda FC 3-0 AC Bar
Kiganda FC 1-0 Tigers
AC Bar 1-1 Lions
Lions 1-1 Tigers
Lions 0-4 AQ Shines
AQ Shines 0-1 Kawenja
Early Favourites
As the tournament enters its third Matchweek, two teams have emerged as early favourites; Acholi Quarters Galacticos and Luigi FC. Both teams have been virtually unstoppable in their respective groups, posting perfect records and showing no signs of slowing down.
In Group A, the Acholi Quarters Galacticos have been dominant, winning all their matches with ease. Their thrilling 4-1 victory over Nakawa FC, followed by a solid 3-0 win against Kasenyi FC (after a walkover), has placed them firmly at the top with nine points. Their form suggests that this could finally be their year to lift the coveted trophy, as they look to end a long wait for their first title.
In the same group, Nakawa FC and Alur FC are trailing with three points each, but have shown signs of resilience that could make them formidable challengers if the Galacticos falter. With the standings tightly packed, the final group stages promise to be a battle for the top spot, with every match having the potential to alter the course of the tournament.
Holders Luigi Set Pace
Over in Group B, three-time champions Luigi FC have stormed to the top, also remaining unbeaten after three matches. A thrilling 4-3 win over Kawanga FC was followed by a narrow 1-0 victory against Banda Select, placing them on nine points. Their campaign to win back-to-back titles like they did in 2019 and 2020 is well underway, with their attacking prowess being on full display.
Mbuya FC, who sit in second place in Group B with 6 points, have been competitive but will need to work hard in their final group matchups if they are to secure a place in the knockout rounds. Banking on their strong start, Luigi's experience and tactical depth have made them the favourites to advance to the later stages.
Well Poised Pool
Group C has been equally exciting, with Kiganda Young leading the charge after two victories and six points, while Acholi Quarters Raiders stand at three points. In this group, Nakawa Boyz, despite drawing against both Kiganda Young and AQ Raiders, are still a dangerous outfit capable of causing an upset.
Kiganda Darkhorse
Meanwhile, in Group D, Kiganda FC have emerged as the leaders with six points, following a perfect start with wins over AC Bar and Tigers FC.
They face tough competition from Kawenja FC, who sit second with four points, following a hard-fought 1-0 win against Acholi Quarters (AQ) Shines. The tight competition in Group D sets the stage for some exhilarating matchups as the group stage draws to a close.
The competition is fierce, but the heart of the tournament lies in its focus on community upliftment and environmental consciousness.
As Aliguma Foundation CEO Rita Aliguma explains, “This tournament is more than just football; it's a platform to educate and inspire our community to adopt sustainable practices. Together, we can build a cleaner, safer environment for our children.”
Environmental Attachment
In addition to the football action, there is a clear emphasis on environmental stewardship, with recycled trophies and medals up for grabs, promoting the tournament's key message: "Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce."
The event’s curtain-raiser between Acholi Quarters and Kifumbira set the tone for the tournament, with winners receiving trophies crafted from recycled materials.
Ejakait Deogracious, a player and beneficiary of the tournament, echoed the sentiments of many when he said, “I found my team here, received essential equipment like gloves, and significantly improved my football skills.”
His story represents the larger vision of the tournament: using football as a tool for social change, providing opportunities, and nurturing the next generation of football stars.
The tournament will continue until January 2025, with the final showdown expected to be an intense affair. The champions will be celebrated in a grand bull roast, marking the culmination of another impactful edition. This edition remains a testament to the transformative power of sports in addressing both societal challenges and community building.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the two giants of Group A and B, Acholi Quarters Galacticos and Luigi FC, to see if they can maintain their perfect records and claim the ultimate prize. But with so many talented teams still in the mix, anything can happen in this exciting season of football.
Table Standings – Points Table
Group A
AQ Galacticos 9 points
Nakawa FC 3 points
Group B
Luigi FC 9 points
Banda Select 3 points
Group C
Kiganda Young 6 points
AQ Raiders 3 points
Group D
Kiganda FC 6 points
Kawenja FC 4 points
*Top Two Teams Per Group
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