Saddam wonder strike not enough to deny KCCA win

Kampala.

Robert Ssentongo might be a late starter to the 2016/17 Azam Uganda Premier League season. But, the diminutive striker’s three goals in two games have earned KCCA a sizeable lead at the summit.

The ex-URA forward scored in KCCA’s 3-1 win over Express in the Kampala derby at the Philip Omondi Stadium yesterday to give the defending champions a six-point cushion over SC Villa and Vipers.

KCCA have 18 points from seven games ahead their Friday visit to Nakivubo to face title rivals Vipers, the latter having edged Lweza 1-0 at Wankulukuku yesterday on a soggy afternoon.

While Ssentogo’s goal was sandwiched by Muzamir Mutyaba’s and Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Erisa Ssekisambu got the crucial strike to ease the pressure on coach Abdallah Mubiru.

“The win eases the pressure on us all because you have to win all your games when you are at such a club,” admitted Mubiru after the game where they created the better chances.

From just two games, Ssentogo, last season’s top scorer with 20 goals for URA, having scored twice on debut, a 3-1 win at BUL last Friday, matched the tally managed by SC Villa winger Vitalis Tabu.

URA’s Shafiq Kagimu, Ssentogo’s teammate, Sserunkuma and Ssekisambu also have three goals atop the scorers’ chart.
Mutyaba and Ssentogo scored with two first half minutes thanks to pathetic goalkeeping from ex-KCCA custodian Emmanuel Opio that gavea first victory over Express in three years. On-song Saddam Juma hit a jaw dropping goal from 30 yards that caught KCCA goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan and most the 1121-man crowd that braved the cold unaware to reduce the deficit.

Uganda Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic was watching, albeit in the nearby Forest Mall and not the stadium terraces. Sserunkuma, on for Ssentongo, ended the contest on 84 minutes with well taken goal.

“We have been beaten hands down because our players didn’t follow the script,” Express head coach Alex Gitta told Daily Monitor after the game.

At Namboole, Villa moved into second on 12 points when Tabu received an immaculate pass from midfielder Ambrose Kirya, dazzled Soana’s goalkeeper Muhammad Didi then slotted past two defenders.

That earned them a 1-all draw with visiting Soana who had taken the lead through striker Frank Kalanda on a slippery rain-soaked Namboole turf.

Kalanda’s goal off a sweet turn in the area had given the visitors in a game that promised much more than the two goals in managed.

Kalanda, Emma Kalyowa took turn to fluff Soana’s chances while Alex Kitata stole the day. He had two bites of the cherry to conjure up a spectacular miss. His first attempt was saved by Muhammad Didi.

From the enthusing chaos, Kitata’s second bite flew high into the stands much to the dismay of the hundreds of Villa fans who waited for over 30 minutes for the kick-off due to water-logged pitch.

Eccentric Sam Ssimbwa’s Soana are level with Villa with fourth-placed Express on 11 as URA lost further ground on the leading, beaten 2-1 at their Lugazi home by strugglers Sadolin.

There was also a first victory of the season for Proline, as Edrisa Lubega’s goal gave them a critical 2-1 result at JMC Hippos’ Kakindu Stadium.

Azam Uganda Premier League results

Yesterday
Kirinya Jinja SS 0-0 BUL
SC Villa 1-1 Soana
URA 1-2 Sadolin
Lweza 0-1 Vipers
Police 0-1 Saints
JMC Hippos 1-2 Proline
KCCA 3-1 Express