Moses Ndaula’s 23rd minute goal was enough to hand Mike Mutebi’s Villa a narrow 1-0 victory over super league new boys Hoima-Busia in an entertaining duel played at Nakivubo stadium this evening.
The visitors who had a good display in the first half hit the post in merely two minutes of kick off after danger man Isiko Ayub had combined well with Charles Okwemba leaving Villa custodian well beaten only for the wood work to save the hosts.
Villa reacted well and almost got a goal in the 6th minute through a rejuvenated Steven Bengo but a forest of legs in the Hoima area blocked his clse range effort and Kawooya Michael cleared.
Both teams continued their offensive displays and in the 15minute, Busia’s Edmund Murayi almost block the deadlock but his shot inside the Villa area just went wide.
In the 23rd minute, Villa had a free kick after winger Charles Ssempa who had a good outing was brought down and Bengo’s resultant free kick bounced off custodian Andrew Egesa on to Moses Ndaula who coolly headed home his forth goal of the season.
Bengo had a chance to double Villa’s lead in the 29th minute but his free kick went a few inches wide after Musamali Paul had been fouled. Half time ended 1-0 in favors of the hosts despite the fact that the visitors dominated much of the proceedings.
Hoima- Busia made the first change in the 52nd minute when Isa Barasa came on for the tired Wafula Bodi and 2 minutes later, Mugabi Martin came on Murayi Edmunud. Following a booking in the 54th minute to defender Denis Okoth, Coach Mike Mutebi replaced him with midfielder Robert Achema in the 62nd minute. This forced Misi Katende to shift to centre back while Achema played in central midfield.
The introduction of the lanky midfielder seemed timely as SC.Villa regained control of the midfield and began to attack Busia endlessly. Hoima made their last of the three substitutions in the 65th minute when Mawellero came on for Mukaga. Villa continued to press for the second goal but were only denied by the well organized visitors’ rear guard and Musamali ‘s wastefulness in front of goal.
With 70 minutes left to play, right back Ssekiziyivu steven came on for striker Musamali Paul shifting versatile Godfrey Ssembatya to the right flank while Ssempa went to the left with fans” favourite Steven Bengo taking over the free role.
Bengo, Muleme and Ssempa came close in the last 15 minutes of normal time but custodian Andrew Egesa was up to the task making wonderful reflex saves. In the 89th minute, substitute Isa Barasa got a straight red card after retaliation on Isaac Muleme despite referee Ronnie kalema awarding him a free kick after the villa left back had pulled his shirt. Villa managed to hang on to their lead and the final whistle was blown to the jubilation of the blue army.
After the game, Villa manager Mike Mutebi commended his boys for reacting well after the heavy defeat to Bunamwaya on Friday but blamed wastefulness as the reason they scored only one goal. ‘’The boys have fought had given they were playing against a fresh Hoima side. But still they were wasteful in front of goal’’. He said.
He had words of praise for Bengo and Charles Ssempa who stood out in this encounter. ‘’Bengo has been fantastic while Ssempa has made a good account of himself. He is an audacious young player who loves using the ball to hurt the opponent’’, lamented Mutebi.
Match statistics: Sc.Villa vs Hoima-Busia
6 shots on 3
5 shots off 4
7 offside 6
2 yellow cards 1
0 Red cards 1
Sc.Villa line up. Benjamin Ochan (gk), Godfrey Ssembatya, Muleme Isaac, Okoth Denis ( Achema Robert), Kasadha Lawrence, Kirabira Isaac, Moses Ndaula, Misi Katende, Musamali Paul ( Ssekiziyivu Steven), Ssempa Charles and Bengo Steven.
Busia-Hoima line up: Egesa Andrew, Andrew Mukaga (Isa Barasa), Kawooya Michael, Joshua Mudonya, Hassan Onyango, Wafula Bodi ( Mugabi Martin), Juma Kigenyi, Ayub Isiko, Okwemba Charles and EdmundMurayi ( Muhammad Muwellelo)
Man of the match: Busia- Hoima’s Isiko Ayub didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. The number 17 was all over the pitch dictating the tempo of the game but his team mates let him down.
Sc.villa verdict. It was a good response after that 4-1 humiliating loss to in form Bunamwaya at the same ground last week. Given the fact that the Jogoos missed striker Herman Wasswa ( suspension ), Ssemakula Noah ( malaria ), Muganga Ronald, Ssenfuka Patrick, Kabanda Micheal, Eurukana Nkugwa and Kakaire Apollo for the game, it was a deserved victory before they face second placed Express F.C on Saturday afternoon.
Busia-Hoima verdict. A win or draw would have shifted them from bottom of the table but it was not to be against a well organized Villa side but given their display today, they are a team I bet will survive relegation
