Uganda Premier League
URA FC 2-0 SC Villa
Arena of Visions, Bombo
Tuesday, 07-01-2019
URA FC got their Uganda Premier League second round off to a winning start thanks to a 2-0 victory over record champions SC Villa on Tuesday afternoon.
In the game played at the Arena of Visions, Daniel Isiagi and substitute Michael Birungi scored in either half to hand the Tax Collectors victory.
This is URA FC’s 5th victory of the season and it sees them move to 23 points from 16 games.
For Villa, it is their third loss of the campaign and they stay 3rd on the log with 27 points so far.
URA FC have been struggling for goals this season and starting without their two top scorers in Brian Majwega and Cromwel Rwothomio (3 goals each), their faithful should have been worried going into the game.
However, inside two minutes, Daniel Isiagi struck to hand them a deserved lead.
The former Proline FC striker who had not scored a single goal this season, headed home a Shafik Kagimu cross, leaving SC Villa custodian Saidi Keni rooted to the spot.
The Tax Collectors looked to be in close control of proceedings and created several chances to improve their advantage before the break but could not do so.
Kagimu blasted over Joackim Ojera’s cross on the half volley before Isiagi somehow failed to find the back of the net after he was teed up by the energetic Ojera.
Saidi Kyeyune then tried his luck from distance but his shot was dealt with by Keni before seeing another charged down by Asuman Harishe.
Sensing Villa were starting to grow into the game, URA made two changes at the start of the second half with Michael Birungi and Rwothomio replacing Mikidad Ssenyonga and Isiagi.
Birungi would later pop up with the goods, scoring URA’s second as he connected neatly with an Ojera cross to tap in from close range in the 65th minute.
Rwothomio had a chance to score a third for the hosts but his header off a Kyeyune corner rattled the cross bar.
Late in the game, Kagimu saw a goal-bound effort blocked by Yayo Lutimba with Keni beaten.
Villa who lost just two games in the entire first round looked second best from the start.
They were disorganized even before the game started as the likes of Derrick Ndahiro, Ibrahim Kibumba and Garvin Kizito could not be allowed to feature due to license issues.
In the game proper, they failed to create anything meaningful in the first 40 minutes with only Yayo Lutimba’s speculative effort which flew over being their only attempt at goal.
However, as halftime drew closer, they started growing into the game and Fahad Badhiro controlled an Ibrahim Kibumba cross before slotting it wide of the target.
Substitute Ronald Magwali lashed on to an Emmanuel Wasswa through ball before seeing his effort rattle the up-right and out for just a goal kick.
Villa looked more dangerous as the game wore on but could not create clear openings to score.
The loss dents the Jogoos’ hopes for a first title since 2004 as they stay 9 points off the summit with leaders Vipers yet to play their round of 16 game.
The other game between Tooro United FC and Onduparaka FC which was slatted for Tuesday, did not take place as the hosts could only field four licensed playes on the day.
How both sides started
URA FC
Alionzi Nafian, Ashraf Mandela, Yeseri Waibi, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Hudu Mulyiki, Julius Mutyaba, Saidi Kyeyune, Shafik Kagimu, Joackiam Ojera, Mikdad Ssenyonga, Isiagi Daniel
SC Villa
Saidi Keni, Alex Wasswa, Moses Kiggundu, Asuman Harishe, Ibrahim Kibumba, David Owori, Emmanuel Kalyowa, Ambrose Kirya, Faizo Muwawu, Yayo Lutimba, Fahad Badhiro
Wednesday’s fixture
KCCA FC vs Mbarara City FC @4pm
