The 2021 Airtel Masaza Cup Tournament kicked off at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru amid tight Covid-19 restrictions. (date)
This year’s opening game was graced by His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II who was also accompanied by 3rd Deputy Katikkiro, Owek. Twaha Kigongo Kaawaase, Buganda Sports Minister Owek. Henry Sekabembe and Airtel Uganda’s Head of Brand and Communication, Remmy Kisakye among other guests.

The opening match between the defending champions Gomba and nemeses Kyaddondo ended in a 2-0 win for the former.
During the highly anticipated opening game, Gomba Lions, who dominated opponents last season, fell n under the might of hard pressing Kyadondo’s talisman Isaac Ssenyunja whose quickfire double in the opening three minutes sealed the game.

First, Ssenyunja caught Gomba defenders napping to beat a helpless Peter Katongole for the opener. A quick transition yielded into a corner which flew past left-back Sadat Mukembo as Senyunja hanged long enough in the air to head in the second.

Like the previous year, the 2021 tournament is being played under strict Covid-19 regulations and behind closed doors. The tournament will go on for 35 days with some breaks.
The Airtel Masaza Cup is an annual Buganda Kingdom tournament that has been played since 2004 and usually features 18 teams from 18 different counties of Buganda Kingdom.
 This is the fifth consecutive year that Airtel Uganda is sponsoring the tournament as the title sponsor since an agreement was signed between the telecommunications company and the Buganda Kingdom to boost talent among the youth and mobilize people to participate in kingdom development programs using football.