URA, SC Villa lose ground after draw
Police officer Tumwesigye left the game with a huge swelling after being stonned by Villa fans. COURTESY PHOTO
What you need to know:
Soccer. The two giants played out to a 1-all stalemate in Lugazi but the game ended on a sad note with fans pelting policemen with stones
KAMPALA.
In the end, both coaches were left to rue missed opportunities at the respective goal scoring ends. In truth though, it was the goalkeepers that decided Friday’s 1-1 draw between URA and SC Villa a result that could only benefit leaders Vipers.
First, substitute Frank Kalanda pounced after Villa goalkeeper Nicholas Sebwaato failed to handle left winger James Kasibante’s low cross to give URA the lead two minutes after the hour mark.
Brian Bweete at the opposite end followed suit 17 minutes later fumbling Isaac Muleme’s in swinging free kick for Dennis Kamanzi to force home the equalizer as Villa dominated the second period at the wet Lugazi ground. “Almost all my attackers, Sekisambu, Nsumba, Jakech, got chances to win the game but the title race is still wide open,’’ Villa coach Ibrahim Kirya said after the game.
The result left Villa, who came into the game shortly after being awarded three points from their aborted game against Express, are now on 46 points, three behind leaders Vipers.
It is the third time this seasonVilla are being awarded boardroom points after aborted games against Sadolin and in the first round meeting against Express.
The league management committee will, however, want to look into the matter of Villa fans pelting policemen with stones that left one injured after the game. This is believed to have been in protest of referee Frank Jjingo’s decision not to award a late penalty when Samson Jakech tumbled in the box after slight contact from URA defenders.
“We paid the price for not converting our first half chances,” URA coach Alex Isabirye said. URA stay fourth with 35 points, 14 behind the leaders Vipers.
Elsewhere, Bul leapfrogged Bright Stars courtesy of goals from Hood Mayanja Farouk Osama and Patrick Asiku in a 3-0 win. At Wankulukuku, Fred Segujja and Ronald Lukungu’s goals for Sadolin condemned eighth-placed Express to their 11th loss of the season. Sadolin won 2-1 to move level with Express on 28 points.
FRIDAY’S UPL RESULTS
URA 1–1 SC Villa
Express 1–2 Sadolin Paints
BUL 3–0 Bright Stars
