TikTok FC booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Hamz Cup Tournament after edging Best of The Best 2-1 in a fiercely contested second quarter-final at Hamz Stadium.
In a match that lived up to its billing, both sides demonstrated commendable resilience and attacking ambition, but TikTok FC ultimately prevailed through Ashiraf Kyakuwa’s early penalty and Elijjah Elly’s decisive late header.
Kyakuwa broke the deadlock just eight minutes into the contest, calmly converting from the penalty spot after Aksam Miod was fouled inside the area.
TikTok FC carried their slender advantage into the half-time break, but Best of The Best returned from the interval with renewed purpose and restored parity 10 minutes after the restart.
Hamid Boya produced a moment of brilliance, unleashing a thunderous long-range effort from approximately 40 yards that left the TikTok FC defence beaten and brought his side back into contention.
With the match finely balanced, TikTok FC continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when Elly rose highest to head home a well-delivered corner from Miod, restoring TikTok FC’s advantage and sealing their passage into the last four.
Despite getting his name on the scoresheet, Kyakuwa had earlier squandered three opportunities before Elly’s late intervention ensured TikTok FC emerged victorious.
TikTok FC had earned their quarter-final berth through a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Ngeye Transporters, winning 8-7 after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Best of The Best, meanwhile, secured their place in the last eight with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sanyu D Bags in the round of 16.
The victory propels TikTok FC into the Shs15 million prize bracket, with the prospect of claiming the tournament’s lucrative Shs50 million grand prize should they go all the way.
Best of The Best will take home Shs10 million for their quarter-final finish.
TikTok FC join Nurmak in the semi-finals after the latter eliminated Kafumbe United 1-0, courtesy of Shafic Nyanzi’s decisive strike.
Attention now shifts to the remaining quarter-final fixtures, with Born Talent scheduled to face Block F on Saturday, October 17, at Hamz Stadium.
The final quarter-final will be played on Saturday, October 24, when Manchester United Fans UG take on Tororo Boys.
Lucrative rewards on offer
Beyond the prestige of lifting the Hamz Cup, the tournament offers substantial financial incentives for teams and individual performers.
The eventual champions will pocket Shs50 million, while the runners-up will receive Shs25 million.
The third-placed team will earn Shs20 million, with the fourth-placed side taking home Shs15 million.
Each of the four teams eliminated at the quarter-final stage is guaranteed Shs10 million, ensuring that the competition remains financially rewarding even for sides that fall short of the semi-finals.
Individual excellence and fan engagement will also be recognised, with the Most Valuable Player and the team with the largest fan contingent each receiving Shs1 million.
The best goalkeeper, top scorer, fairest team, best coach and two outstanding media personalities will each walk away with Shs500,000.
With two semi-final places already secured and the remaining quarter-final ties still to come, the race for the Hamz Cup title and its Shs50 million grand prize is gathering momentum.
