KAKUMIRO – SC Volcanoes (Mutorele SC) have secured their place in the FUFA Big League after a heroic playoff performance against Booma FC at Kakeeka Playground in Kakumiro District on Saturday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The goalless draw (0-0) in the second leg was enough to send the Kisoro-based side through, following their 1-0 first-leg victory and an impeccable unbeaten campaign in the Western Regional League.
The historical match saw the Volcanoes goalkeeper Andrew Ssekandi emerge as the undisputed savior, producing a masterclass of shot-stopping that denied Booma FC on multiple occasions.
For the first time in the history of Kisoro District, a football club has earned direct promotion to this elite level of competition. The achievement marks a watershed moment for football development in the southwestern region.
Speaking exclusively after the match, SC Volcanoes club president Dr. Martin K. Mbonye described the promotion as “a landmark moment not only for SC Volcanoes but for the entire Kisoro district.”
“SC Volcanoes embarked on the season with a clear ambition of reaching the Uganda Big League and remained focused on that objective throughout the campaign. This success is the result of hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and determination, with the team demonstrating consistency and resilience in their quest for higher-level football,” Dr. Mbonye said.
The club president attributed the success to the dedication of its management, technical team, players, sponsors, media team, and loyal supporters, emphasizing that promotion is only the beginning of a larger vision for the club.
The highly anticipated encounter kicked off at 3:08 PM before a packed crowd at Kakeeka Playground, with both teams enjoying strong support from their respective fans.
Booma FC pulled in a large home fanbase, while SC Volcanoes brought a promising contingent of supporters who had traveled from Kisoro and Kagadi, creating a vibrant and electric atmosphere.
The hosts started aggressively, dominating the opening ten minutes and applying heavy pressure on the Volcanoes defence. However, the defensive partnership of Alijuna (No. 5) and Bafana (No. 3) stood firm, repeatedly intercepting dangerous long passes intended for Booma’s attackers.
Booma continued to push forward, particularly through their dangerous winger wearing shirt No. 11, but SC Volcanoes gradually settled into the match. By the closing stages of the first half, the visitors had regained composure and controlled possession better, resulting in a goalless first half.
After the restart, both sides battled intensely in midfield. SC Volcanoes captain Mandela Alex and Fiat orchestrated attacks from the centre of the park, linking up with Muhairwe (No. 7) and Shaban (No. 14), whose pace troubled the Booma defence.
The turning point arrived in the 68th minute when goalkeeper Andrew Ssekandi produced a brilliant save to deny a powerful effort from Booma’s winger, shirt No. 11. It was the first of three decisive interventions that would prove crucial to the Volcanoes’ historic triumph.
Ssekandi was called into action again later in the second half, producing another vital save to deny Booma’s striker wearing No. 9. But the most dramatic moment arrived in the 88th minute when Booma created multiple opportunities inside the Volcanoes penalty area. Once again, Ssekandi stood firm, producing a remarkable save from another dangerous effort by Booma’s No. 11 to preserve the clean sheet.
Defender Ikooza Derrick (No. 6) marshalled the backline superbly throughout, making crucial interceptions and clearances alongside his defensive partners.
SC Volcanoes almost found a winner in the 75th minute when substitute Emmanuel Ogwang (No. 10), who had replaced the injured Muhairwe, delivered a cross to Shaban inside the penalty area. Unfortunately for the visitors, the chance went begging.
The final minutes saw SC Volcanoes defend resolutely as Sunny (No. 11), Magende, and captain Mandela worked tirelessly to protect their advantage. When the final whistle sounded, celebrations erupted among the travelling fans as SC Volcanoes confirmed their place in the FUFA Big League.
SC Volcanoes captain Mandela Alex praised his side’s relentless resolve, reiterating that the FUFA Big League promotion had always been the team’s primary goal throughout the campaign.
Mandela conceded the match was far from straightforward but credited his players’ unwavering focus, before vowing that the club’s ultimate ambition, now that their first mission has been fulfilled, is to ascend to the Uganda Premier League.
SC Volcanoes shot-stopper Andrew Ssekandi, the hero of the night with three game-saving interventions, conceded that Booma FC posed a formidable challenge with their non-stop offensive assault.
Nevertheless, Ssekandi credited the victory to the team’s meticulous preparation and collective discipline, while expressing gratitude to the supporters and backroom staff, whose steadfast encouragement fueled the players’ resolve when it mattered most.
“It was a tough game as Booma attacked throughout, though as a team we were prepared well and remained disciplined and working together. The fans and management have made us reach this far. Their support motivated us as a team,” Ssekandi explained,” Ssekandi explained.
Former Uganda Cranes midfielder and SC Volcanoes head coach Patrick Ochan hailed the promotion as a fitting reward for a grueling campaign, having guided his side unbeaten through the season with only draws against Gorilla Highlands and the playoff stalemate with Booma FC.
Ochan reaffirmed that promotion was the mission from day one and expressed pride in its achievement, while revealing that his contract expires at season’s end, leaving him awaiting word on a possible renewal.
“We have completed the season unbeaten, with only draws against Gorilla Highlands and today’s playoffs with Booma FC. Promotion to the Big League was our mission from day one, and we are proud to have achieved the goal,” Ochan said.
The promotion is expected to boost football development in Kisoro District, creating new opportunities for talented young players while raising the profile of the region on Uganda’s football map.
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