"Heroes" - Football fans react to the eight brave Arua Hill players that played against Kitara

In a sad turn of events, strugglers Arua Hill SC presented eight players for their Uganda Premier League game against Kitara FC at the Masindi Playgrounds on Thursday.

It was a sombre mood in the away end, with the already wounded team daring to go against the title challengers.

Braving the long distance, financial woes, uncertainty in club ownership, and numerical disadvantage on an unforgiving territory, the eight Arua Hill paladins braced the warzone.

Captained by Gadafi Wahab, who confirmed his departure at the end of the first round, the eight warriors fought with whatever they had in them.

But, in the end, to no one's surprise, the eight Leopards suffered a 7-1 thrashing against the much superior Royals.

In the midst of the ongoing struggles and the day's heinous events, netizens were instant in expressing their honest feelings on the situation.

"They deserve medals for being there for their club. Gadafi Wahab, you're my captain of the year," an X user posted.

"It's so unfortunate seeing a team unable to field in a complete squad on game day! Times are tough for Arua Hill," another added.

"Sad indeed. Is it a financial or governance issue? Would a financial injection by FUFA into the club solve the problems that Arua Hill is facing?" another asked.

While some expressed pity for the Leopards, others quickly celebrated their downfall.

"I love to see Arua Hill ho down just as fast as it came, Onduparaka will rise again," a fan of the latter tweeted.

"I am disappointed by this team, which promised us a lot," one posted.

"Aita Joel (former Arua Hill Chairman) should explain," a fan demanded.

Meanwhile, Arua Hill stayed at the bottom of the log with just five points in 13 matches.

The Eight Arua Hill Players that played the game

Hadgi Sukuru (GK), Wahab Gadafi (C), Reagan Mpande, Musa Ssali, Safi Mansoor, Wycliff Ahumuza, Noah Sabir, Nelson Mandela