Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Used For The First Time In Ugandan Football

There were scenes of chaos over the weekend as Kataka FC took on Blacks Power in the FUFA Big League and video assistant referee (VAR) had to be called into play for the first time in Ugandan football.

Swamad Okur scored the host’s first goal of the game at the Mbale Municipal Grounds. This was towards the end of the first half. However, in the 65th minute of the second half, Michael Siwu curled in a beautiful free kick to equalize for the visitors.

In the 85th minute, referee Waiswa Muzamiru awarded a penalty to Kataka that was highly contested by Blacks Power’s players and staff.

The players surrounded the ref violently protesting the decision after one of their players was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area.

After a lot of this commotion, the ref was summoned to the FUFA production van parked at the pitch. He went in and observed what had happened through the video assistant referee in the 18-yard box and when he came back, he reversed the penalty decision.

Blacks Power assistant coach, a one Bob however was given his marching orders with a straight red card. The game was now level at 1-1 and the visitors were confident of taking a point back to Lira.

Muzamiru added 7 minutes of injury time and this was enough for Kataka to bag a memorable late winner.

Latif Ssenkubuge latched onto Stephen Namisi’s long throw and put the ball into the back of the net. This sent the Kataka fans and bench into a frenzy and meltdown of celebrations.

Kataka meanwhile play Onduparaka at the Ababet Greenlight stadium in Arua on the weekend. Blacks Power will host Jinja North United at the Akii Bua stadium in Lira.

This was Blacks Power’s first loss in two games of the opening season. And also Kataka’s first win in their first two games.