EXETER CITY FC | UGANDA
Earlier in 2022, we had an idea! It was quite simple… to continue connecting our passions as a team, to the passions of the people in the places we visit, whilst including as many people in the journey as possible.
A global language, football has a way of naturally connecting people, through a club, a country, or even mutual respect for a single player. Team, Think People Think Story is in Uganda once again to deliver Their Sleepwell Project, explore some adventure, and use photography to create projects that give back to the communities where our teams live and work.
This collaboration between Exeter City FC, Think People Think Story, and Kyabirwa FC was a small idea, 100% self-funded, and enjoyed massively. See the photos, watch the film and read more below…if you would like to support the local team then hit the button below and 100% of the money will go into their funds to pay for match officials, ground maintenance, some new nets, and footballs.
Football is a huge part of African life, especially during World Cup season, Uganda is alive with radios and tv’s covering all the matches, and the boys in Kyabirwa Village on the banks of the River Nile are all set to play their Christmas cup, an inter-village competition the atmosphere is pretty football heavy!
Before arriving in Uganda, Tommy who supports Plymouth, and Joe an Exeter fan connected with their respective clubs in search of some kits to bring to Uganda to play in a very special “friendly” match between the local village and a neighboring side. Only Exeter came through with a set of shirts and it was game-on!
The local village team player/manager Muganda arranged everything, even down to the GOAT that we sponsored as a trophy for the winners. The team in Kyabirwa village would play in the Exeter shirts and have a selection of the boys from team Think People Think Story onside to take on their rivals.
With a mixed-ability squad, we weren’t favorites by any means. After the morning’s heavy rains the pitch was wet with large boggy areas, add a sprinkle of rocks to the long grass, and the game was already set to be tough. We kitted up and the game began like a champions league match, the officials walked both teams onto the field, and lined them up, before fist bumps and photos for both teams took us into kick-off.
With some pace, everything was up in the air because anything that played along the ground would get stuck. The opposition was strong, winning most of the balls in the air with incredible strength and power. The crowd was out in full force watching two local teams go at it, in a mix of Sunday league-style chaos with professional energy, and minimal attempts on goal the scores were even at halftime.
The second half was much like the first except muddier and more hectic, tired players bogged down with mud thicker than the studs on the boots and people were sliding all over the place. The deadlock was broken with a dubious decision that the ball had crossed our goal line and we were 1 nil down. As much as we tried the other team was a little more aggressive and found their way to a second goal. Their fans in the crowd were going loopy, possibly more in anticipation of having a GOAT take home.
With the kick-off being at 5 pm and the equatorial sunset being at around 6.45 each day the light was fading fast towards the final whistle, and as it blew the crowd didn’t run for their team they ran for the GOAT, their GOAT.
Joe being the Exeter supporter handed the GOAT over in near pitch black to their team captain to great applause and the game was done, our mission accomplished.
Once again football delivers; bringing people and places closer together.
Make a donation to kyabirwa fc
Supporting the local team sees 100% of the money going into their funds to pay for match officials, ground maintenance, some new nets, and footballs.
