Uganda Premier League
Wakiso Giants FC 1-2 Police FC
Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium, Wakissha
Saturday, 11-01-2019
Police FC become the first team ever to register a home and away league victory over new UPL side Wakiso Giants FC after a 2-1 win at the Wakissha stadium on Saturday.
Goals from Ocen Ben and substitute Samson Kigozi finished the job for Abdallah Mubiru coached side who had earlier in the season taken care of Wakiso by the same score line.
Geoffrey Sserunkuma who was without a league goal this season temporarily equalized for the home side but that is all they could take from the game.
This is Wakiso’s 8th loss of the season and it sees them drop into 8th on the standings with 20 points.
For Police FC, they now climb out of the relegation zone-for the first time this season. They have accumulated 15 points and sit in 13th.
Livingstone Mbabazi was taking charge of his first game as Wakiso Giants FC head coach having replaced Kefa Kisala in November.
After over a month with the team, everyone was eagerly awaiting to see what he would come up with.
However, he failed the first test and with all the hype surrounding his appointment, he will definitely not be pleased with his team’s performance.
Wakiso have looked shaky at the back all season and their defensive frailties were highlighted inside two minutes as the conceded the first goal.
They however responded well with Viane Sekajugo heading a Lawrence Bukenya lofted pass straight at Davis Mutebi.
On 10 minutes, the Purple Sharks would eventually equalize.
Fahad Kawooya sent a long free kick into the area which was messed up by the Police defence enabling Geoffrey Sserunkuma to pounce and slot in past the helpless Mutebi.
Later in the first half, Mutebi fumbled with a long ball but was lucky as his blushes were saved by Henry Katongole who cleared off the line a Sserunukuma goal-bound resultant effort.
At the start of the second half, Sekajugo robbed Joseph Ssentamu of the ball inside the Police area but could not capitalize as he did not connect cleanly with the ball to enable the Cops clear their lines.
Wakiso were struggling to regain control of the game forcing them to take off Hakim Ssenkumba and Ivan Kiwewa and introduce Ivan Ssebuguzi and Yasri Mugume.
Sserunkuma had a glorious chance to bring the game onto level terms but tapped wide a Ssebuguzi delicious pass.
It was a disappointing final few minutes for the Wakiso faithful as they failed to create anything meaningful in front of goal.
The Cops who came into the game with only 15 players due to licensing issues got off to a dream start as they scored inside two minutes.
After good interplay between Arafat Ggaliwango and Ocen Ben, that latter connected neatly with the ball before it bounced off Fahad Kawooya and into the back of the net.
Wakiso started growing into the game, Police were left to catch the hosts on the break but were consistently fouled before getting into the box.
Dennis Rukundo forced a finger tip save from Yasin Mugabi after Kawooya brought down Ocen outside the area before Derrick Kakooza headed wide another Rukundo free kick.
With Wakiso dominating proceedings, Police were forced into a tactical change on 38 minutes with Samson Kigozi replacing the ineffective Fahad Kigozi.
In the second half, Kakooza saw an effort parried by Mugabi and in the 67th minutes, Wakiso substitute Yasri Mugume was overpowered and robbed of the ball before Ruben Kimera delivered a pin point accurate cross for Kigozi to head the Cops 2-1.
After a poor Kawooya free kick, Kimera retained Police possession just outside the Wakiso area before teeing up Kakooza whose tame effort was dealt with by Mugabi.
Despite not going for the kill, Police held on to victory, their third in four games.
Wakiso Giants FC started line up
Yasin Mugabi (GK), Muwadda Kateregga, Aggrey Madoi, Fahad Kawooya, Hassan Wasswa, Hakim Ssenkumba, Ivan Kiwewa, Hassan Ssenyonjo, Viane Sekajugo, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Lawrence Bukenya.
Police FC started line up
Davis Mutebi (GK), Denis Rukundo, Arafat Ggaliwango, Joseph Ssentume, Pius Kagwa, Yusuf Ssozi, Ben Ocen, Samuel Kayongo, Henry Katongole, Fahad Kizito, Derrick Kakooza.
