Video: Watch as VAR is used for the first time in Ugandan football

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was used for the first time ever in Ugandan football over the weekend as Kataka FC hosted Blacks Power FC in the FUFA Big League.

The encounter between the two sides got heated up at Mbale Municipal Grounds after a penalty was awarded to Kataka by referee, Waiswa Muzamiru in the dying minutes of the game.

Kataka’s Swamad Okur gave them the lead with two minutes to the end of the first half. However, Michael Siwu was able to level matters in the 65th minute after he scored a free kick for the visitors.

It was in the 85th minute that hell broke lose. One of Blacks Power’s defenders was deemed to have handled the ball after a corner kick by Kataka. The visitors protested this decision from the players and bench. The ref was surrounded in a very violent manner.

However, the ref got called to the FUFA production van that was parked at the stadium. From there, Muzamiru came back with a clear decision and reversed the earlier penalty he had awarded.

Blacks Power’s assistant coach, Bob was however shown a straight red card after the tempers had flared up. The ref added 7 minutes of stoppage time and this was enough for the hosts to bag a memorable win.

Latif Ssenkubuge managed to turn Stephen Namisi’s long throw in into the visitors goal. This threw the stadium into wild celebrations. This was Blacks Powers first defeat this season after two games. It was also Kataka’s first win of the season.

Blacks Power will play Jinja North United at the Akii Bua stadium in Lira over the weekend. Kataka will travel to Arua to take on Onduparaka at the Greenlight stadium. With this, it’s now expected VAR in Ugandan football will be seen more often