FUFA Big League (Mon, 3rd Nov 2014 Results):
Rwenzori Group:
The Saints F.C 2 – 1 Jinja Municipal Council
Hope Doves 1 – 2 Baza Holdings
Elgon Group:
Kasese New Villa 2 – 0 Busia United
Seldom do football fixtures correspond with nature’s dictation.
The FUFA big league fixture between The Saints F.C and Jinja Municipal Council at Kakindu Stadium was one such in a million – characterized by a colorful rain bow painted over the Jinja skies throughout the 90 or so minutes.
Term it good omen, or otherwise; the scenery was as epic and thrilling as the match itself.
There was virtually nothing to write home about for the barren opening 45 minutes that saw the home side put The Saints F.C goalie, Ramathan Male under serious check points including that one on one against an undecided Alex Kabanda.
Turning Point:
The match finally came to life moments after Ivan Okot replaced a tired looking Nelson Ssempagala in the 65th minute.
Dancing left winger, Viane Sekajugo, arguably the day’s most lively player on the turf skipped his marker; Hassan Musana to deliver a telling cross that was nodded home by a well positioned Okot to spark wild and mad celebrations among the players and the lively visiting delegation.
The celebrations were however short lived when JMC’s left back, Umar Katende, orchestrated a well built move from the backline that resulted into the equalizer 2 minutes later.
Katende eluded past a forest of legs before involving John Mayanja for that eye catching wall pass.
With an advancing Male off his line, Striker Mathias Wambikamba used the poachers’ instincts to lob the ball into an empty net for the well built equalizing effort.
This was no to be the last piece of action to evoke smiles as a result of a goal.
With minutes fast tracking to the full time whistle, JMC goal keeper Musa Lukungu was at fault for a poorly timed clearance when namesake, Musa Walangalira played a seemingly harmless back pass.
Ssekajugo who was at the time scavenging like an hungry and angry reptile to pounce on its prey, then capitalized on the blunder to shoot into an empty net and give the visitors the lead once again.
It was not long then when referee called for the full time to grant The Saints F.C their 5th successive victory – thus condemning JMC to their maiden campaign loss.
The Saints F.C reclaimed the summit status of Rwenzori group (with 15 points).
Saints F.C coach Mark Twinamatisko who looked pensive for long spells on the touchline attributed the goal his charges conceded to the match day referees who denied him a substitution at a time the goal came calling.
“It was a good match but the referees at one moment nearly cost me dear. I was supposed to make a change and they denied me that change and that is when we conceded” Twinamatisko cried.
His opposite at Jinja Municipal Council F.C, Arthur Kyesmiire hailed the two teams for the great showing and promised a better game in their fixture at home this coming Thursday (against Hope Doves F.C).
In the other Rwenzori group fixture played, Baza Holdings put aside their in-house woes (planned players’ strike) to pick maximum away points when they beat Hope Doves 1 – 2 at Namboole Stadium.
There was only one Elgon group game where Kasese New Villa registered a sweet 2- 0 home victory over Busia United in Fort Portal.
The FUFA Big league is country’s second highest tier league. It is used as a promotional bench mark to elite Uganda Premier League (UPL).
Only 3 teams will make it from the Big league to UPL for the upcoming 2014/15 season.
One team per group (Elgon and Rwenzori) earns a direct slot to the UPL with the 4 others (best 2 runners up per group) engaged in a playoff to determine the third side.
The worst performing teams per group (5) are demoted to the regional leagues.
Next Fixtures:
Thursday, 6th November 2014:
Elgon Group:
Kirinya Jinja S.S Vs Maroons – Kirinya S.S Play ground, Jinja
Rwenzori Group:
Baza Holdings Vs Paidha Black Angels – Nakivubo Stadium
Sporting United Vs Namasagali F.C – Lango Sports Play ground
Jinja Municipal Council Vs Hope Doves – Kakindu Stadium
VCC Vs Kireka United – Masindi Stadium
Team Line Ups:
JMC F.C XI:
Musa Lukungu (G.K), Hassan Musana, Umar Katende, Musa Walangalira, Godfrey Kalega, William Eteda, Ambrose Kirya, John Mayanja, Alex Kabanda and Mathias Wambikamba
Substitutes:
Salim Wafudu, Willy Makura, Aggrey Madoi, Farouk Mudoola, Patrick Onyango, Richard Wandyaka and Anwar Ntege
The Saints F.C XI:
Ramathan Male, Denis Rukundo, Aziz Mubiru, Geoffrey Bwire, Brian Mukasa, Moses Okello, Vian Ssekajugo, Nelson Ssempagala, Rajab Jooga, Fred Kyambadde and Alex Kitata
Substitutes:
Kenneth Anyama, Robert Kasolo, Ivan Okot, Nicholas Odong, Tony Magala and Jordan Tamale