The just concluded Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC) in Harare, Zimbabwe once again lived up to its billing as Africa’s premier club hockey spectacle, bringing together the continent’s top sides for a week of high-intensity competition, skill, and continental pride.

The ACCC, held annually, pits the best club teams in Africa against each other and serves as a true measure of club hockey excellence on the continent. This year, Uganda was represented by Kampala Hockey Club (Men’s team), proudly carrying the national flag on the big stage.

For Kampala Hockey Club, this marked a return to the ACCC after a one-year absence, following a season where their women’s counterparts, Kampala Swans, featured in Egypt. The men last appeared at the tournament in Blantyre, Malawi, where they finished as bronze medalists, raising expectations heading into Harare.

Drawn into a challenging Group A, Kampala found themselves up against formidable opposition: USIU (Kenya), School of Excellence Hockey Club – SoEHC (Namibia), and Egyptian heavyweights Port Fouad and Sharkia.

Kampala opened their campaign against SoEHC of Namibia in a match that could easily have swung either way. Despite creating numerous scoring opportunities, Kampala were left to rue missed chances as the Namibian side proved more clinical, edging the contest 3–2.

Kampala’s goals came courtesy of Aaron Mutenyo  and Brian Bayuule, but it was SoEHC who walked away with the points.

The second group match saw Kampala face familiar rivals USIU from Kenya. A difficult first half saw Kampala concede four goals, and although they showed improved composure and control in the second half, a lone strike from Wakhisi Samuel proved to be a consolation in a 4–1 defeat.

With qualification hopes hanging by a thread, Kampala took on the Egyptian giants in their remaining group fixtures. Against Sharkia, Kampala arguably produced their best performance of the tournament, matching their opponents in intensity and structure.

However, Sharkia’s experience told in the closing moments as they ran down the clock to secure a narrow 2–1 victory. Kampala’s goal was scored by the team’s youngest player, Baguma Ian, a bright moment that underlined the club’s promising future.

The final group encounter pitted Kampala against Port Fouad, who would go on to be crowned eventual champions of the tournament. Kampala battled bravely but succumbed to a 7–2 loss, with goals from Wakhisi and Kavuma rounding off their scoring at the tournament.

While the results may not fully reflect their efforts, Kampala Hockey Club demonstrated resilience, intent, and character throughout the competition.

The team showed flashes of quality, competitiveness against elite opposition, and a fighting spirit that suggests they remain a side to watch on the continental stage. Encouragingly, this return signals a rebuilding and growth phase that positions Kampala strongly ahead of the 2026 season.
Attention now shifts back to the domestic scene, with hockey action resuming soon.

Key dates on the calendar include:
• Rockets Open Tournament: 14th–15th February
• Close of Transfer Window: 25th February
• UHA Memorial Shield: 1st March
• Pearl of Africa Women’s Cup: 7th–8th March
• League Kick-off: 14th March