SC Villa play stalemate, Onduparaka win away

Kampala. SC Villa’s rollercoaster season continued yesterday with a 1-1 draw against Bul yesterday that left fans instead blaming referee Mashood Ssali for decisions that went against them in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. But surprises sprung elsewhere.
Mbarara City’s fine run at home was halted by an unlikely challenger, Onduparaka, who came from behind to win 2-1 at Kakyeka while Ndejje University, who are fighting relegation must be relieved with a 4-3 win over poor travellers, Tooro United.

Villa, Bul in stalemate
Villa, who are 12th with 22 points, took a 1-0 lead into halftime at the Njeru Technical Centre, courtesy of Pius Wangi’s 45th minute header, but Bul winger James Otim levelled the scores in the 68th minute.
However, the Jogoos were guilty of failing to utilise three counter-attacking opportunities.
Villa coach Douglas Bamweyana has built an impressive midfield but his team is lacking in the art of burying opportunities.
Bul made the early running and although Villa worked their way back into the match, they struggled for fluency.
Bul crafted four quickfire chances as the half hour mark neared, with Otim, a first half substitute for injured Deogracious Odong, and Hamis Tibita all going close. The Jogoos’ three-man defence held firm, well marshalled by Lincoln Mukisa.
Bul’s best chance came on 30 minutes, when Yusuf Sibira’s free kick rattled the cross bar with keeper Saidi Keni well beaten.
Villa’s Wangi missed his own sending a free ball into the crowd on 38 minutes. The Jogoos struck just at the nick of halftime with Wangi glancing a pinpoint Derrick Ndahiro’s neat cross past Bul’s flat-footed defenders and keeper Hannington Sebwalunyo to snatch the lead.
Bul fought back in the second spell, lifting the tempo and initially restricting the Jogoos to the odd long-range counterattacks.
They were rewarded in the 68th minute when Otim calmly finished Adriko’s weak headed back pass to level the scores.
In Mbarara, Onduparaka handed Mbarara City their first home loss this season with Rashid Toha and Caeser Okhuti the heroes against their former coach Livingstone Mbabazi. City, who have bossed teams at home took the early lead through Hillary Mukundane but assistant coach Baker Kasule was left to rue missed chances.
Less than 24 hours after Ndejje appointed Asuman Lubowa as Technical Director, the move appears to have paid dividends as the University team won 4-3 against travel-sick Tooro United.