UPL Results | Tue, May 14, 2024
FT’ Mbarara City 0-0 BUL
FT’ Busoga United 1-2 Vipers
FT’ SC Villa 2-1 URA
FT’ Bright Stars 1-0 Kitara
FT’ KCCA 4-0 Wakiso Giants
FT’ UPDF 2-1 Maroons
Mbarara City held BUL to a goalless draw at Kakyeka stadium, denting the Eastern Giants’ chances of winning their maiden Uganda Premier League (UPL) trophy.
The game at Kakyeka was delayed for some minutes as one of the goal posts collapsed during warm up. The goal post was fixed moments later, and the game kicked off.
Ibrahim had the chance to score first for BUL, against his former Mbarara City side, but his header towards goal in the 17th minute was slightly inches wide.
In the last ten minutes of the first half, BUL kept asking the Mbarara City defence questions, and in one incident like that led to Ronald Otti finding the back of the net, but it was ruled out by referee.
After an hour played, and the visitors’ search for a goal intensified, BUL made a double substitution, with Okello and Amos Kirya coming on for Martin Aprem and Jeromy Kirya in the 64th minute respectively.
In the 72nd minute, coach Abbey Kikomeko introduced his top scorer Alex Kitata on, replacing Pascal Ngobi, but all the efforts yielded no results, as both sides couldn’t score any goal, and the full time score was 0-0.
In that stalemate, Mbarara City goalkeeper Ronald Mutebi kept his sixth clean sheet of the season. Besides the 0-0 draw with BUL, the goalkeeper was also in goal as the Ankole Lions drew 0-0 in five other Mbarara City league games this season; against Express, Vipers, Busoga United, Maroons and UPDF.
Going into the Tuesday game at Kakyeka, the Jinja-based side was leading the 16-team UPL table with 52 points, followed by Kitara (51), Villa (51) and Vipers (50) respectively.
After 28 matches played, and just one left before the end of the season, BUL have now dropped to third position with 53 points.
In a very interesting twist of events, SC Villa have climbed to the top of the table, having come back from a goal down to beat URA 2-1 at Wankulukuku on Tuesday.
Defending champions Vipers have also so far collected 53 points, same as BUL, but the Venoms are occupying second position because of their superior (+6) goal difference.
Meanwhile, Kitara have dropped to fourth position, following their shock 1-0 defeat to stubborn mid table giants Bright Stars at Kavumba.
BUL still have slim chance at winning the title, that’s if they can pick maximum points from their last game of the season against relegation-threatened Busoga United on Saturday, May 18 at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
Still very complicated for the Eastern Giants though, Villa, Vipers and Kitara will all have to drop points for the Jinja-based side to have a realistic chance at winning the title.
How Both Teams Lined Up:
Mbarara City XI; Ronald Mutebi (GK), Joseph Akandwanaho (C), Karim Ramadan, Henry Muyomba, Francis Odongo, Henry Kitegenyi, Yunusu Sibira, Amir Kakomo, Innocent Wafula, Sadiq Sekyembe, Edward Namaasa
Substitutes; Ivan Otude, Benson Muhindo, Pius Wangi, Geofrey Sunday, Jamir Nvule, Hakimu Nsamba, Seiri Arigumaho, Isaac Amutuhaire
BUL XI; Joel Mutakubwa (GK), George Kasonko (C), Ronald Otti, Nicholas Mwere, Walter Ochora, Ibrahim Orit, Gerald Ogweti, Jeromy Kirya, Pascal Ngobi, Hillary Onek, Martin Aprem
Substitutes; Emmanuel Obua, Ibrahim Kazindula, Joel Madondo, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Mathew Tayo Odongo, Tom Ikara, Reagan Kalyowa, Shafik Kwikiririza, Amos Kirya, Alex Kitata, Benon Tahomera
https://sportsnation.co.ug/2024/05/14/mbarara-city-frustrate-buls-title-hopes/
