Debutants Godfrey Tours and Travel edged Touch Sound 2-1 on the deadline day of the 2024 season to win their first ever ESA Park Premier League (EPPL) title on Saturday in Kitubulu.
Uganda Cranes player Kakande Shafic scored a brace on the day for the new champions in a highly contested encouter against a very experienced Touch Sound side.
Kakande won it late for Godfrey Tours when he scored the winner with a few minutes left on the referee’s clock.
The Bright Stars FC trickery winger, put Godfrey Tours in the lead in the 21st minute and before the break, experienced forward Ismail Kabugu levelled matters for Touch Sound to make it 1-1 at half time.
Godfrey Tours, won the EPPL title unbeaten, managing 9 wins and 2 draws from the 11 premier league games last season. Drew 2-2 with Monique and 0-0 against Semutundu.
CBICE, Public Beach, Semutundu, Cheetahs, Skynet and Kayinja are other teams that participated in the EPPL second edition that ended on Saturday.
One Family FC and SPICE were sportingly promoted to the EPPL after finishing 1st and 2nd in the championship. One Family defeated Kainos 2-0, and SPICE beat ABSA 3-0 in the ESA Park Championship (EPC) deciders that were played before the Godfrey Tours and Touch Sound game.
One Family earned promotion to the EPPL with 18 points and SPICE that had defeated ABSA in the earlier Championship game, finished second also earning promotion with 16 points.
ABSA, Kainos, Victorian, Evening Crews, Kings of Entebbe and Badgers are other clubs that were part of the 2024 Championship season.
The EPPL CEO Mugabi Miph, who worked along with Ssimbwa Ken, Otika George, Muwanga John, Kisitu Gerald, Mutyaba Joseph was happy for the achievement and success achieved in the second edition.
We are very happy that we have had a Successful second edition, am thankful to my team we have worked with to achive this. Am grateful to all participant in the league and our different sponsors. Mugabi stressed.
Speaking to this site, the EPPL CEO, promised betterment next season and was apologetic for a few things that may have not gone on well went.
We have registered recommadable suceess, but we promise to have the best in the 3rd edition. I tender in my apology for all shortcomings this season.
I also want to thank God for the ideas we put up at the park and , I wish to thank the different team managers of the EPPL and as well, welcome the new boys to the premier league. He added.
In a special note, I acknowledge these two individuals for guidance, support and team work; Henry Thierry Musabe and Wasswa Ramos. Mugabi concluded.
FFA and ABC are the two sides that were relagated to the ESA Park Championship/Principal’s cup.
Hans Cedric emerged top scorer with 22 goals four more than Shish Joseph ‘Big league’ of Monique who finished the season with 18 goals.
Some of the awards given out to the individuals
Godfrey Tours’ Wasswa Yusuf with most clean sheets won the golden glove.
First edition winners Friends of football (Nature Waste Management) finished 4th with 19 points behind champions Godfrey (29 points), Monique and Touch Sound in 2nd, 3rd with 28 and 27 points respectively.
During the 2024 season, the Ugandan soccer legends defeated Entebbe legends 2-1 in a friendly game that was aimed at celebrating coach and Ex international Joseph Mutyaba on his 50th birthday.
The EPPL is sponsored by Unique metal Crafts, Godfrey Tours & Travel, Skynet, Nature Waste Management, One Family, JB Rides, Hon. Shaka Stephen Gashaija, Prince A.T Barnabas, Brand appliances, Crystal dry cleaners.
