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Kawempe capitalize on Akoyi ‘shyness’
Kawempe Muslim defender Sharifah Nakimera (L) races to the ball with Uganda Martyrs Latifa Nakasi. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE
What you need to know:
With both sides missing guilt-edged chances for fun, the game was seemingly headed for a barren draw with little to write about. Then Nakacwa lost her head and retaliated to a hard challenge from the home side’s Shivon Atuhaire by landing three punches to the latter’s head around the 89th minute.
Uganda Martyrs Lubaga felt unjustly undone by referee Anna Akoyi when she declined to send off Kawempe Muslim right back Samalie Nakacwa late in the second half of their Fufa Women Super League encounter on Saturday at Bugolobi Coffee.
With both sides missing guilt-edged chances for fun, the game was seemingly headed for a barren draw with little to write about. Then Nakacwa lost her head and retaliated to a hard challenge from the home side’s Shivon Atuhaire by landing three punches to the latter’s head around the 89th minute.
Akoyi had turned away to follow the ball which was moving forward into Kawempe’s attack but her assistants Badru Ssebyatika, Aaron Kasozi, and fourth official Tonny Emmanuel Ouni should have been in position to help her handle the situation.
Akoyi had a lengthy chat with both players before letting play continue. Ironically Kawempe scored in stoppage time through Agnes Nabukenya from a move started on the right.
“I am not a referee so I cannot comment on the incident, the person in charge decided to handle it the way she did,” Martyrs assistant coach Shafic Mutebi, said.
“My concern is about our form. We are 13 points behind the leaders and it will now be difficult for us to chase the title but we can still remain competitive. We have one of the best strikers in the league (in Latifah Nakasi) but she needs more support around her to ease the pressure.
“We also seem to be struggling more at our home away from home and look forward to getting better when we return to St. Gerald’s Stadium (Rubaga),” Mutebi added.
Kawempe coach Ayub Khalifa equally expected Nakacwa to walk but overall thought his side handled adversity well and were rewarded for it in the end. He had started Dorcus Kisakye ahead of Krusum Namutebi and the former handled herself well in attacking midfield as captain Phionah Nabulime played in a not so familiar defensive midfield role.
After being bullied by Nakasi in the first half and needing goalkeeper Josephine Nambuya to keep them in the game, Khalifa withdrew Ritah Mushimire from central defence for Hadijah Babirye, who largely silenced the Martyrs attacking line.
But it was Claire Kebirungi and Halimah Kampi’s energy after being brought on for Sumaya Nabuto and Shadia Nabirye on the wings that got Kawempe moving better forward.
“Some of the players like Ritah and Krusum have been doing their exams so their level was a bit down today. We decided to play those that have been training more, a chance to play and thankfully they found a way to deliver,” Khalifa said.
Fufa Women Super League
Results
Uganda Martyrs 0-1 Kawempe Muslim
Kampala Queens 2-1 Tooro Queens
Makerere University 1-1 Olila HS
She Corporate 0-2 Amus College
Wakiso Hill 0-1 Rines SS
She Maroons 0-3 Lady Doves
Team P W D L F A PTS
Kawempe Muslim 8 6 2 0 11 1 20
Kampala Queens 8 5 3 0 9 2 18
Amus College 10 5 3 2 14 9 18
Rines SS 10 5 2 3 10 8 17
Lady Doves 8 4 2 2 14 7 14
She Maroons 10 3 4 3 5 5 13
She Corporate 10 2 4 4 6 8 10
Makerere University 10 2 4 4 8 11 10
Olila HS 7 1 4 2 4 7 7
Uganda Martyrs 8 1 4 3 3 6 7
Tooro Queens 9 1 2 6 5 10 5
Wakiso Hill 10 0 4 6 2 17 4
