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Different time slots have been tested away from the usual 04:00 PM kick off times, with the league secretariat trying lunch time kick offs, though that was mainly to aid broadcast of more games on TV, than drive more fans into the stadium.
Ugandan football fans have for long been demanding for better kick off times in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League to facilitate their busy daily schedules, and urge to enjoy the local game.
Different time slots have been tested away from the usual 04:00 PM kick off times, with the league secretariat trying lunch time kick offs, though that was mainly to aid broadcast of more games on TV, than drive more fans into the stadium.
The jewel of matchday kick off has remained night football, as it fuses the electrifying Kampala life and comes at the end of the city hustle and bustle for the middle-income class.
Two seasons ago, night games were tried at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, and delivered significant success, while also educating the clubs on how big night games can be compared to other times.
Vipers SC playing its CAF Champions League games made night football even more glimmer, with attention tuned on rivals KCCA FC, who had made playing games at night a significant business strategy under the redevelopment of their MTN Omondi Stadium.
19:12 - 08.04.2023
UPL KCCA entertain UPDF under floodlights
Since the league resumed after the international break, KCCA has only picked up two points in 1-all draws with Maroons at home and Blacks Power away.
With the stadium redevelopment still taking shape, fans did not have to wait long, when together with premier sponsors CHINT Electronic, flood lights were lit up Lugogo on Easter Sunday to further usher in a new age in Ugandan football.
It was not to be double jubilation, as the Kasasiro Boys were held to a 1-1 draw by UPDF FC, as a classic late goal from Douglas Oyirwoth cancelled out Tshisungu Kankonde’s strike – definitely the kind of magic that comes under the lights.
It was quite an atmosphere – as we had witnessed with Vipers at Kitende on Saturday – to go with the action on the field. The sight of a number of families in the stands even making this new dusk more promising for the local game.
This provided a way forward for the Kasasiro Boys in terms of growing the fanbase a sight the sponsors might be happy with as it provides more visibility.
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KCCA FC CEO Anisha Muhoozi was with no doubt left with her heart pumping wild as the Kasasiro Boys hosted their first game under floodlights.
“We are happy that we have been able to host our first game under floodlights at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo,” She told Pulse Sports.
“Even more positive that it ended without any glitches. We have worked on some of the guidelines the UPL and FUFA asked us to do before commence night football.”
“These included increasing lighting in areas that seemed dark during our trials matches and also beefing up security in and around the stadium.”
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21:47 - 09.04.2023
FOOTBALL KCCA board divided on Byekwaso
Byekwaso faces a fight to convince certain figures at the club that he has the authority to turn around what has become a disastrous run of results that leaves his future under a cloud.
“We lit up the outside of the stadium and that is why fans have had smooth movement as they left the stadium after the game,” she added.
The clearance for Lugogo to host night games is not one that was given in earnest, with FUFA still making sure that most of the boxes are ticked especially with more clubs expected to take on more night games.
For the game against UPDF, four poles were raised at the four corners of the pitch, with each pole carrying seven large LED lights.
However, these poles are meant to harbour 12 large LED units and that means that a balance of five LED units missing on each of the panels. The club added several individual lights to eliminate the dark zones as well.
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For those watching on TV, it might not have been the best viewing experience, but the club promised to improve on the existing illumination of the playing field going forward.
“We have noted a few things from this game that we hope to implement even better in our up coming night games,” Muhoozi explained.
“We urge all stakeholders to support this initiative of clubs playing night football as it will help increase fanbase and give fans an opportunity to watch these games since they take place after the day's hustle.”
A panel including officials from FUFA and UPL are expected to have a formal sitting this week to assess how KCCA delivered on their guidelines, but there is hope that they will give clearance to more night games.
If clearance is provided, KCCA’s derby clash against rivals SC Villa at Lugogo on Sunday, April 23, will not only be the first played under the lights, but will definably provide a cracking atmosphere.
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