The return of action in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League after the latest international break provided fans with other mouth watering clashes as URA and Sam Ssimbwa hosted his former side Express with midtablers Tooro United hosting their first game at Wankulukuku.
URA emerged 1-0 winners over a hugely disappointing George Ssemwogerere’s side at Namboole while Tooro United made sure their 13 game home unbeaten run remained intact by also winning 1-0 over Jinja based BUL Bidco.
With the win, Ssimbwa now believes that his team can finish second. The tax collectors went into the match needing a win to leap frog Mbarara City into third while also closing the gap on second placed Vipers who play Wednesday to just three points.
Both coaches are astute followers of the defensive and the game surely served a good show of defensive organisation and discipline offering little going forward. Everytime either teams moved out of the block, it was the visitors who looked more threatening.
Express should have headed into the half time break ahead but James Alitho in the URA goal was having one of his better days. Micheal Birungi and Tony Odur twice went through on his goal but the URA shot stopper came out on top in both scenarios. URA’s only goal mouth action came from a long shot from Captain Shafik Kagimu to which Tony Kyamera in the Express goal easily dealt with.
In the second half however, despite the Red eagles looking better on the offence, it was the hosts who made more clear cut chances. First it was a long shot from Kagimu again which was superbly matched by Kyamera while Joachim Ojera had a couple of openings down the right but his delivery often let his teammates down.
In the 78th minute, Express Captain Isaac Mutanga’s half clearance fell perfectly well for URA right back Ronald Kigongo who looped the ball back into the net with the keeper still on the ground. It was the manner in which they conceded that left coach Ssemwogerere livid with his team.
Express remain 11th on the table with 29 points, nine points clear of relegation. They return to action on Tuesday as they host bottom placed Paidha Black Angels.
URA on the other hand go third on 42 points, a point above Mbarara city and three behind Vipers in second ahead of their visit to Nyamityobora.
In the other game, Tooro United beat BUL Bidco 1-0 to open up their account at their new stadium and also extend their unbeaten home run to 14 games in both the Uganda Cup and the league. Midfielder Allan Kayiwa’s first half goal was enough to see the hosts across the line and climb into sixth, level on points with fifth-placed BUL.
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