URA head coach David Obua has commended his team’s impressive display in the Tax Collectors hapless 2-0 loss to Vipers at the Omondi Stadium in Lugogo on Saturday.
Moses Waiswa in the first minute and Karim Watambala in the 89th scored for Vipers as the Uganda Premier League (UPL) defending champions roared back into contention for this season’s league title with an important victory away from home.
Despite the 2-0 score-line turning out against his side, the URA coach was positive that his charges exhibited better football than the defending champions who, according to the Obua were ‘just kicking balls’ from the back.
“We were unlucky yet again, not to get ahead of this one too – the game should’ve gone either way. I always tell my boys, to be lucky, you have to work harder than the opponent,” Obua stated.
“These guys (Vipers) were in the back kicking balls. They’re the Champions, they’ve got more quality players and you’d expect that they should’ve played a better game than us.”
“Generally, I’m happy with the boys – we didn’t change our style of play, regardless of what pressure that was surrounding us, we kept on playing. We don’t give up, and we shall come back again.”
We Have To Do Better – Obua Reiterates
The URA tactician, who also commended the referees for officiating fairly blamed the loss on his own side’s lack of concentration when it mattered most.
“I want to thank today’s referees here, the game was much fair, and both teams showed what they could do.”
“Alitho (URA goalkeeper) maybe slipped, on the free kick, and at a time when we were looking for an equaliser, we conceded the second. All that teaches the players that we have to do better.”
URA Title-chase Hopes Far, But Not Lost
About the title challenge? Obua admitted that it’s a little bit complicated now, but also added that all hope is not lost – he still believes that if not now, then surely some other time, the Tax Collectors will emerge victorious.
“Losing here makes things little complex for us now (as far as the title chase is concerned), but that’s gone now, we can only pick lessons from it.”
“What’s important is how we respond. I’m gonna go back home, take my red bull and plan for the next game. We need to improve, and be better in the final third.”
“I still believe in the boys, and I believe URA will be champions one day,” Obua remarked.
The Venoms(38) are now just six points behind league leaders Kitara(44), who have played two games more.
Meanwhile, the Tax Collectors (31) continue to struggle, remaining winless in their last four matches across all competitions. They can make amends in the UPL when they visit Express at Wankulukuku on April 6.
