“Illegitimate” KCCA goal catches Bul match officials unwares
Kaddu pokes the ball away from Bul goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo as he bounces the ball
At the end of Bul’s 2-0 loss to KCCA in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League on Wednesday, Peter Onen lay the blame of the team’s defeat on his player Hannington Ssebwalunyo.
The goalkeeper was deemed by many to have carelessly ceded possession to striker Patrick Kaddu who opened the scores for KCCA in the 69th minute.
Others believed Kaddu had acted within the rules in picking the ball off Ssebwalunyo as he bounced the ball in preparation of launching the team’s attack.
Despite the protestations of Bul’s players’ referee Shamirah Nabadda and her assistant Musa Balikoowa, who was stationed closer to the action, went ahead to award the goal.
According to International Football Association Board Laws of the game however Kaddu’s involvement was out of the rules.
Law 12 - fouls and misconduct states that “a goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball when:
• the ball is between the hands or between the hand and any surface (e.g. ground, own body) or by touching it with any part of the hands or arms except if the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper or the goalkeeper has made a save
• holding the ball in the outstretched open hand
• bouncing it on the ground or throwing it in the air
It is believed Nabadda, who was distraught after the game had turned her back on the action but made the call after Balikoowa moved towards the centre indicating the validity of the goal.
Referee Shamirah Nabadda
In November, upon the advice of the Referees Disciplinary Panel and the FUFA Referees Standing Committee, FUFA banned three officials who officiated the game between Express and Vipers at Muteesa II Stadium – Wankulukuku for poor officiating.
The second assistant referee Samuel Kakembo was banned from performing refereeing services of all Fufa-organised and sanctioned competitions for five years.
The centre referee Ronald Kirangwa was banned from performing refereeing services of all Fufa organised and sanctioned competitions for three years.
The first assistant referee Lydia Nantabo was banned from performing refereeing services of all Fufa-organised and sanctione competitions for 60 days.
