Ykee Benda, Azawi ramp up United-Arsenal rivalry with a bet

Azawi, an ardent United fan, in her X post, dared singer Benda, a strong Arsenal supporter, to a Shs1 million bet on which team would win the encounter.

Ykee Benda has said fellow artist Azawi has not yet officially staked on upcoming Manchester United vs Arsenal match despite daring him to a Shs1 million bet.

Eighth ranked United face English Premier League current table leaders Arsenal on Sunday at Old Trafford, in a match that could decide this season’s title winners.

Many football fans notably in Uganda have anticipated for this clash with some betting on which team they believe will turn out victorious come this Sunday.

Just days ago, Azawi, an ardent United fan, in her X post, dared singer Benda, a strong Arsenal supporter, to a Shs1 million bet on which team would win the encounter.

According to her post on X (formerly Twiiter), in which she tagged Benda, the Swangz Avenue artist staked Shs1 million on Arsenal not getting a win at Trafford and dared the Mpaka Records boss into a bet.

“@YkeeBenda I bet a million, you’re not winning at the Old Trafford. Deal?” Azawi posted.

In his response, Ykee Benda asked Azawi to be clear about her stake and said he would also stake Shs1 million on an Arsenal win.

“Let’s go fam. 1m from me too that it’s a win for Arsenal.” Benda replied.

However, with a few days to the match day, Azawi appears to have lost confidence in her bet.

Following a 4-0 beating of United by Crystal Palace on Monday, Azawi, in her post seemed to have lost hopes of United getting a point against the league leaders.

Azawi posted, “I should just pay Ykee his money kigwe!” to which Benda responded, by encouraging her to deposit the money on his number.

“You have my number fam…tekako akasente ako.“ Benda replied.

According to Benda, they were supposed to deposit their stakes with Canary Mugume before the match day. The bet winner would walk away with Shs2M.

However, speaking to this reporter, Benda has said he has waited for Azawi to deposit the stake with Canary but all in vain.

“I have been waiting for Azawi to register her Shs1M stake with Canary but she hasn’t done so. I will confirm by Wednesday if she will have made her stake.” Benda told this reporter.

Ykee Benda is an ardent Arsenal fan while Azawi is a strong supporter of United, and the two have always shared about their passion for sports in many of their posts.

In a phone interview, Azawi declined to comment about her bet with Benda but expressed her strong love for sports.

“I don’t want to comment about the bet thing but I have always been a sports fan. Those that have been following me know that.” She told the Nile Post.

For many years now, the rivalry between Arsenal and United has proved to be one of the biggest not only in the Premier League but also in Uganda.

You recall last season, at least eight Arsenal fans were arrested in Jinja City by police while celebrating Arsenal win against their rivals Manchester United.

It had been reported that the fans dressed in Arsenal shirts, were holding aloft a replica trophy they'd just bought from a local shop, before getting arrested over what police said was ‘holding unlawful procession’.

"These are people who, after bringing them to the police, they didn't know any basics about Arsenal. Because when we asked about the unbeaten run [invincible season], they say it was in 2007," Kira Region Police spokesperson James Mubi revealed to the media last year.

Arsenal remain provisionally league leaders with 83 against their closest rivals Manchester City (82) amid the Gunners’ quest for their first league title in over 20 years.

On the other hand, with 54 points from their 35 games this season, United will need to beat onform Arsenal side to keep their hopes of playing European football alive.

Whereas United haven't been great so far this season, they still pose a threat to Arsenal’s title hopes and many football fans believe Sunday’s fixture will live up to the billing to produce a classic and entertaining match.