Ssentongo guides URA past Elgeco

Kampala- URA will have to negotiate their Caf Confederations Cup first round opening game away to South African giants Orlando Pirates without star marksman Robert Ssentongo.

The striker’s free kick gave his side a 1-0 victory over Madagascar’s Elgeco Plus, a first away continental win for the tax collectors but was later sent off late in the game on Saturday.

The result meant that URA progressed 4-2 on aggregate having beaten Elgeco 3-2 at Namboole two weeks ago. Ssentongo also scored a brace in the Namboole fixture.

“We only saw the linesman gesturing to the centre referee and we don’t know what really happened,” midfielder Yassar Mugerwa said in a telephone interview yesterday. “He will obviously be missed but we definitely have him to thank for our progress,” added Mugerwa, who started his second game for the club since moving from Victoria University in January.

Ssentongo is reported to have elbowed Elgeco’s goalkeeper in an off-ball incident.

While the referee missed the incident, the linesman spotted it and raised his flag.

Elgeco had also in the first half been reduced to 10 men after first choice goalkeeper Eddit Basita handled the ball outside his area.

URA will, meanwhile, also be without Oscar Agaba for the first leg against Pirates after the holding midfielder received his second caution of the tournament.

Ssentongo’s dismissal was also the second in successive continental games for Alex Isabrye’s URA side, who had central defender Jonathan Mugabi sent off in the first leg at Namboole.
CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round

2nd Leg result
ASSM Elgeco Plus 0-1 URA FC
(URA won 4-2 on aggregate)
First round
First leg
March13–15 2015
Orlando Pirates (South Africa) vs. URA
Second leg April 3–5 2015
URA vs. Orlando Pirates

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