Robert Achema came off the bench to secure league status for his club Bul with his 58th minute goal in their 1-1 draw with Onduparaka on Saturday at Kakindu Stadium, Jinja.
Following their 1-0 defeat to Soana in midweek, Bul went into the game well aware that avoiding defeat on the final day of the campaign would maintain their stay in the league.
And that is exactly what happened in a very lively encounter as Achema fired home his free kick to cancel Dickens Okwir’s first half goal.
After coming close with his bicycle kick in the 13th minute, Shaban Muhammad put in some fantastic work down the right hand side, digging the ball out under pressure to fire a cross that met an onrushing Okwir who tremendously smashed in past goalkeeper Paul Mujampwani’s reach.
The goal did not sink the hosts’ hopes though, and they could have nabbed a quick equalizer in the 22nd minute, but Villa Oromchan’s goal was cancelled after he was judged to have fouled goalkeeper Nisar Kassim.
Forwards Gadaffi Gadinho, Living ‘Messi’ Kabong, Shaban and Okwir enjoyed their return to Kakindu. The quartet terrorized their opponent’s defense in the first half, but their beautiful play was only undermined by poor finishing as the first half ended with the Caterpillars boasting of only one goal.
The second half started with the hosts threatening and they were rewarded thirteen minutes into the half with the free kick that Achema incredibly put inside the net.
Bul got a free kick a few yards from the box, Achema who had waited for over five minutes for the center referee to signal for a change came on to score a delightful free kick that sent the stadium into frenzy.
Onduparaka finished the game with ten men after Ibrahim Faisal was shown his marching orders for a nasty challenge on David Bagoole in the 87th minute.
As the game drew to a nervous conclusion for the home fans, Shaban almost capitalized on poor goalkeeping but the ball evaded the striker to slight go wide
And ultimately, Bul secured the much needed point. The fans roared from different corners of the pitch, with scenes of celebration as the full time whistle was blown.
It was not only the hosts jubilating though as Onduparaka fans celebrated for maintaining their fifth position in the league.
Bul end the season placed 11th with 33 points.
Ondupuraka meanwhile conclude their maiden campaign in top flight placed fifth with 45 points.
