Uganda Cup: NEC vs Vipers Match Officials deserve praise for Watambala incident

The death and resurrection of Christ gifted Ugandan football lovers a compelling Uganda Cup Quarterfinal clash between defending champions Vipers SC and NEC FC.

At the time the fixture was announced, many anticipated a high-octane encounter between two of the most in-form sides, expected to deliver fireworks and send fans into the Easter weekend in high spirits. However, the match failed to live up to that billing.

Both regulation time and extra time produced little in terms of clear-cut excitement, ultimately leading to a penalty shootout, as provided for under Law 10 of the Laws of the Game and the competition regulations.

The defining moment of the match arose during the penalty shootout. Vipers SC’s Abdul Karim Watambala accidentally slipped while striking his penalty, resulting in an accidental double contact with the ball. The ball entered the goal, but the match referee, FIFA referee Lucky Razake Kasalirwe, assisted by FIFA Assistant Referee Hakim Mulindwa, Assistant Referee Ivan Lubwama (National Elite Referee), and Fourth Official Ronald Kikabi, correctly ordered a retake.

This decision sparked widespread debate among fans, many of whom questioned its correctness. However, a proper reading of the Laws of the Game as amended by IFAB for the 2025/2026 season provides clear guidance.

If a player taking a penalty kick accidentally touches the ball twice and the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken. If the ball does not enter the goal, it is not retaken and play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team (or recorded as a miss in kicks from the penalty mark). A deliberate double touch is always penalized with an indirect free kick and the kick is not retaken.

IFAB

This clarification was introduced in the 2025/2026 edition of the Laws to uphold fairness. It recognises that accidental actions such as slipping should not unjustly disadvantage a player, while still maintaining firm sanctions against deliberate attempts to gain an unfair advantage. In this instance, Watambala’s action was clearly accidental, and therefore, the decision to order a retake was fully in line with the law.

Another point of contention among supporters concerned the choice of the goal used for the shootout. Some argued that the selected end disadvantaged their team. However, the Laws are equally explicit on this matter.

If the scores are level at the end of the match and competition rules require a winner, the referee conducts a coin toss to decide which goal will be used for the kicks and which team will take the first kick. A second coin toss is then made, and the team that wins the toss chooses whether to take the first or second kick.

IFAB

This procedure, formally reinforced in 2017, was designed to enhance neutrality, eliminate external influences, and ensure fairness in determining the outcome of matches decided by kicks from the penalty mark.

In conclusion, the officiating team demonstrated commendable competence and adherence to the Laws of the Game. Fresh from their recent international engagements, referees Lucky Razake Kasalirwe and Hakim Mulindwa, Ivan Lubwama, and Ronald Kikabi deserve praise for correctly interpreting and applying the laws under pressure.

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