KCCA FC hosted its first ever night football game in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League at MTN Omondi Stadium Lugogo as they played out to a 1-1 draw against UPDF FC.
Congolese striker Tshisungu Kankonde graced Lugogo stadium with KCCA FC’s first goal under floodlights as he opened up the scoring in the 58th minute before they conceded a last minute equalizer from UPDF’s Douglas Oyirwoth in the 92nd minute for a 1-1 full time score.
Despite dropping points at home, the major highlight of the game was the use of floodlights for the very first time in a competitive game at Lugogo.
An Easter Sunday evening outing kicked off at 6pm and as dusk approached, floodlights were switched on with both side experiencing the feel of night football with darkness being kicked away.
Four poles are placed at the four corners of the pitch and each pole should harbour 12 large bulb units but for the game between KCCA FC and UPDF each pole had 7 large units and that means that a balance of 5 large bulb lights missing on each of the four poles.
However, other sections of the stadium had lights erected on long poles to increases on the illumination on the green surface.
KCCA FC CEO Anisha Muhoozi shared her view on the future of night football at Lugogo and the experience after the club’s first game under floodlights as she looked happy for the game to end without any glitch.
“We are happy that we have been able to host our first game under floodlights at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo and it ended without any glitches. We have met some of the guidelines that UPL and FUFA asked us to do before commencement of night football.” Said Anisha Muhoozi
KCCA FC was tasked to increase on the lighting in areas that seemed dark during the trial matches and also beefing up security both in and around the stadium.
“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. We have noted a few things from this game that we hope to implement even better in our up coming night games.” Added Anisha Muhoozi
The CEO went ahead to call upon all stakeholders to support the initiative of clubs playing night football which she looks at as a step forward to increasing the fan base.
“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.”
There was a fairly turn up of fans to the first game under floodlights despite KCCA FC struggling with performance on the pitch as they have registered three consecutive draws
The fans looked to welcome the idea of MTN Omondi Stadium hosting night football as it is just a few miles away from the Central Business Centre and it gives hope for more games to attract a huge turn up of fans.
According to the updated fixture, KCCA FC will host SC Villa on Sunday 23rd April in their next home game which is also expected to be played under floodlights at Lugogo but they will have to wait for the UPL secretariat and FUFA to have a second look in most of their home fixtures scheduled for day to dusk.
