Villa blow chance to close in on KCCA after late URA equaliser
SC Villa skipper Tadeo Lwanga (C) is sandwiched by URA players Feni Ali (L) and Peter Lwasa in Lugazi recently. Photo by Eddie Chicco.
What you need to know:
- The Jogoos led 2-1 in the second half in Lugazi but failed to hold onto their advantage, leaving champions and table leaders KCCA with a chance to stretch their lead at the top today.
Kampala.
After 79 minutes of their clash with URA in Lugazi yesterday, SC Villa were on the brink of cutting KCCA’s four-point lead to one, only to be denied by a late header by URA skipper Jimmy Kulaba.
Instead, they could end this evening five points behind the table leaders should the latter win their away game to Sadolin Paints.
The Jogoos conceded late to draw 2-2 with the Tax Collectors, a result that saw them move to 28 points after 14 games.
Midfielder Ambrose Kirya cancelled out Sam Ssekito’s 11th minute opener by bringing down the URA defence to score past Allan Owiny on 15 minutes. Villa then dominated matters and could have netted a couple of goals had striker Umar Kasumba been more proficient.
Second half substitute Martin Kizza gave them the lead on 66 minutes with a thunderous shot that left Owiny for dead.
Kulaba would later restore parity with a clinical header off a Peter Lwasa corner.
“I don’t know why my boys play under pressure; this is a game we could easily win ahead of our next match with KCCA,” URA coach Kefa Kisala lamented after the match.
In Kavumba, Express picked their first league win in 73 days after beating third-placed hosts Soana 2-1.
Saddam Juma netted a rather soft penalty after being fouled in the 33rd minute.
Soana then leveled through Osman Wejjuli’s tap-in after a lapse in Express’ defence at the stroke of half-time.
Two minutes after recess, Noah Ssemakula bundled the ball into the back of the net after Herman Wasswa’s knock down for a first win since September 24, when they beat Vipers 1-0.
“We didn’t create many chances but we converted the few we had. I have encouraged the boys and they are slowly picking up with confidence,” Express coach Matia Lule said after picking his first win in two matches.
The club’s fourth victory moved them to seventh place on 19 points from 14 matches while Soana remain third with 23 points from as many games.
Today, table leaders KCCA will be overwhelming favourites to cash in on SC Villa’s lapse when they visit Sadolin Paints at Bugembe Stadium in Jinja.
UPL results yesterday
Lweza 1-0 Police
JMC 0-0 Bright Stars
Proline 1-0 Jinja SSS
Onduparaka 1-1 BUL
Soana 1-2 Express
The Saints 1-1 Vipers
URA 2-2 Villa
Today
Sadolin vs KCCA
Bugembe Stadium, 4:30pm
