Mbarara penalties leave Onduparaka with bitter taste

KAMPALA.

This week marked a year since Mbarara City earned promotion to the topflight Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL) following a 2-1 playoff win over Synergy at the Startimes Stadium in Lugogo.
The losers however felt aggrieved by a number of decisions taken by centre referee Dennis Batte on the day.
A year on, the western regional side are still attracting similar controversy.
The Ankole Lions yesterday earned a vital 1-0 win over Onduparaka at Kakyeeka Stadium that helped them move four points clear of Express that is currently occupying the final relegation spot on the table.
Mbarara, with one game left, are currently 11th on the log with 32 points having played two more games than their rivals who are on 27.
The result however left a bitter taste for their fourth-placed opponents who were aggrieved with referee Muzamir Waiswa awarding a 29th minute penalty for a foul on Bebe Sseguja who they claim was outside the box.
“The match was good but it seems there are no football rules in Mbarara. We do not mind losing if officiating is fair,” fumed Onduparaka coach Leo Adraa.
Nigerian striker Emmanuel Ibe Obina then stepped up to convert the resulting penalty kick, the fifth his side have been awarded in the last five home games and four overall.
“Why do we waste our time and spend money to travel when referees are officiating like this. It seems they are doing it deliberately,” Adraa added. There were also chaotic scenes at the end of the game with fans going past the perimeter fence leading to a brief stoppage.