Akol heroics guide Maroons to first league win of season

By Peter Tabu

Coach Aspah Mwebaze’s return to Luzira proved fatal after his former side, Maroons picked up a well-deserved 2-0 win over his current employers Onduparaka on Wednesday evening.

Walusimbi Solomon and Rashid Aga

u’s strikes along with a Rashid Toha consolation sealed the first three points for the Luzira-based side this season.  Goalkeeper Emmanuel Akol put up a man of the match performance.

The game started off on a slow tempo with both sides trying to penetrate the other but the first 20 minutes seemed containable for either sides.

Eight minutes later Maroons opened the scoring through winger Solomon Walusimbi who took advantage of Onduparaka goalkeeper, Richard Anyama’s poor clearance. The goal sent scenes of wild celebrations across the stadium.

With two minutes to half time, Mwebaze made a substitution taking off Denis Okot for Oscar Agaba. The move would have paid off if it wasn’t for Maroons’ Akol. The lanky goalie pulled off a save denying, Agaba a would-be leveler which summed up the first period.

The second half did not pick up much talking points save for Maroons’ Agau who broke through from the centre line leaving Onduparaka’s defence for dead to slot home and give the hosts a comfortable 2-0 lead in the 66^th minute.

The Arua-based side would later on get a consolation through towering centre back Toha in the 87th minute, nodding home winger Gaddafi Gahdinho’s corner. The loss leaves Onduparaka seventh on 11 points and winless in their last three games while Maroons move from bottom to 13th on the log.

For Maroons coach George ‘Best’ Nsimbe, the boys played their hearts out.

“A big fight from the boys today who knew we needed the win so bad, it’s a job well done and am sure it will lift their confidence,” Nsimbe said in a post-match interview.

His opposite number though blamed his goalkeeper Anyama for being erratic.

“Our goalkeeper was erratic early in the game which made it difficult to fight back, Maroons deserved the win and for that I congratulate them,” a crest fallen Mwebaze said after the match.