Villa victorious over Mbarara
Sports Club Villa got their league title defence underway with a 4-2 triumph over Mbarara City FC at Muteesa II Stadium Wankulukuku.
Center Back Arnold Odong put the Jogoos ahead as early as the seventh minute,leaping highest to nod David Owori’s set piece delivery from deep into the turf and past the goalkeeper.
Villa put their opponents to the sword again only eleven minutes later.The flamboyant Patrick Kakande exhibited dazzlingly quick feet in the middle of the park to draw a foul.But the referee allowed play to continue as the ball broke to Elvis Ngonde well over thirty yards from goal.
The midfielder took a touch and released a stunning left footed shot that dipped into the net to double his team’s advantage.
Only a minute into the second half,Kakande got his name on the scoresheet,running into the box from out wide,eluding his marker and firing a third in off the crossbar.
Villa weren’t done,grabbing a fourth scarcely ten minutes later,as Hakim Kiwanuka controlled Odong’s pass from defence,ran in behind and chipped Abdul Kimera to send the Jogoos over the hill.
Mbarara City made sure Jeans Brady Wokorach would not keep a clean sheet as in the 80th minute,Seiri Arigumaho lashed in a consolation on the rebound after Paul Busolo’s header from Joseph Akandwanaho’s in swinging cross was saved.
There was one final twist in the tale as the game ticked into injury time.Akandwanaho sent in another inswinger beyond the Villa defensive line,which Busolo hit first time.Wokorach blocked it but the ball fell kindly for the forward to net a second for his side.
Mbarara’s late flurry might have triggered a remarkable comeback had it come earlier,but it was not enough and the champions began the Morley Byekwaso era with a victory more dominant than the scoreline suggests.
Express edge Mbale
Villa’s archrivals Express FC also started the season with a 2-1 win over Mbale Heroes at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo.Mbale have returned to the top flight for the first time since the 2006/07 season.
The returnees put up a solid and creditable display in the first half,showing confidence and composure on the ball,but they eventually succumbed to former KCCA striker Sam Ssenyonjo’s brace after the break.
Express should have taken the lead from the penalty spot in the twenty sixth minute but new signing Mustafa Kizza skied his effort,much to the disappointment of the home side.
Halftime substitute Alpha Ssali created the opener with some wing wizadry after ten minutes on the pitch,skinning his marker before putting it on a plate for Ssenyonjo lurking on the edge of the six yard box.The striker finished with his left to give the Red Eagles the lead.
Ssenyonjo was at it again in the 83rd minute,doubling his tally after the ball was brushed towards him by Mike Kimera following a raking pass straight from the backline.
There was to be late drama as Sula Mpanga sent a curling free kick into the Express box.The defence scrambled to clear but the ball fell to Davis Ssekajja,who finished first time to halve the deficit.
Mbale Heroes very nearly grabbed a last gasp equaliser but Pius Kaggwa’s long range shot could not dip below the crossbar.
BUL blocked by Police
Meanwhile BUL FC,who won a second successive FUFA Super 8 title a fortnight ago,could not find a way past newly promoted Police FC,despite having a one man advantage for more than an hour.
Police,back in the Premier League after suffering relegation two years ago,were reduced to ten men with ten minutes of the first half to go.Erstwhile BUL striker Gerald Ogweti receiving his matching orders for dangerous play due to him elbowing an opponent.
But BUL,who are expected to challenge for the title having come close for two straight seasons now,just could not find a way past an inspired Edward Kasibante between the posts for Police.
