MBARARA – Hours after FUFA confirmed that Mbarara City had been excluded for taking part in the 2018/19 Uganda Premier League, the Ankole lions have assured their fans that they will appeal against the decision on Wednesday.
This was confirmed in a letter written to the club’s fans by Mbarara City FC chairman Hon. Mwine Mpaka.
“On a sad note, we received communication from FUFA informing us about the decision that has been taken by the Licencing board, read the letter which is dated 25-09-2018.
“As a club we want to apologise to our fans and the entire football family in western Uganda and the whole country.
“The club has been doing all it can in the very short time to make sure the stadium is upgraded to the required standards and we have registered progress on the work though we have not managed to beat the deadline. but the works will continue as we sort out the issue of clearing the club to play in the league.
“We want to assure our fans and the public that the club management will work against the clock to engage FUFA and an appeal will be submitted tomorrow morning to make sure the decision is reversed.
Mwine also assured the fans that Mbarara City will have a solution to the issue before the end of Wednesday.
“We shall abide by the option of hosting a few league games away from home as we complete the upgrade of Kakyeka to the required standards. We believe we shall have a solution to this issue by the end of tomorrow Wednesday 26-09-2018.
“We shall keep an update on what shall be agreed upon by Mbarara city Fc and FUFA. We once again extend our sincere apologies to our fans and assure them that we shall do everything we can to make sure the team plays it’s opening league game on Friday.
“We request our fans to be flexible and bare with the inconveniences that shall be caused by the change of the Hosting ground for the start. But this shall only last for a few games and we shall return to our home.
“Let’s stand as a family as we solve this problem.
On Tuesday evening, FUFA sighted non-compliance by failure to officially provide a fully inspected and approved venue to host matches as the reason for Mbarara’s exclusion from the league.
Mbarara finished 11th in the league last season, three points off the drop after accumulating 32 (points) from 30 games.
They had been scheduled to host sleeping giants Express FC in their league opener on Friday, September 28, 2018.
