Kirinya-Jinja S.S 1-0 victory against Masavu at the Fisheries Training Institute in Bugonga, Entebbe lifted the side to second place with 8 points.
Their head coach Charles Ayiekho Lukula has termed the win ‘special’.
In an exclusive interview with Kawowo Sports shortly after the game, Ayiekho, dubbed the encounter a cup final.
We came knowing that we are playing a cup final.
The match against Masavu meant a lot to us in this campaign and confidence to the team players
Former Nyamityobora striker Faizal Muwawu scored the lone goal on the day, superbly looping the ball over former Express and Lweza goalkeeper Mansoor Mutumba after just 4 minutes.
Ayiekho hailed the character of the players.
Against Bright Stars in the away loss we had, we managed to score.
Now, I told the players to score again and we did just that. We scored an early goal and defended well up to the end.
Kirinya Jinja S.S was unlucky not to have their second goal count when Musa Esenu out-jumped Masavu defenders to nod home Isaac Ntege’s free-kick from the right on 43 minutes.
Shockingly, the goal was disallowed by center referee Robert Donney.
“The referee’s decision is always final. I have no argument on the goal he refused to count,” Ayiekho spoke of the disallowed goal.
Kirinya – Jinja S.S missed two important players on the team, goalkeeper Thomas Ikara and Ibrahim Kayiwa, through injury.
Former Paidha Black Angels goalkeeper Emmanuel Rubankene deputized Ikara and made some fine saves off Charles Odeke, Robert Sentongo Jr, Abraham Ndugwa and second half substitute Joseph Nkabirwa.
Ayiekoh also praised the goal hero Muwawu for character shown not only in the game he opened his scoring account, but the previous games.
Muwawu is a good player. He is still learning a lot but very hardworking. I have worked with him at Nyamityobora and I know what he can serve.
He has been working so hard even in the previous matches and we are so happy that he is finally on the score sheet.
Ayiekho insists his club is good enough for a top 5 finish by the end of the season in May 2018.
Kirinya-Jinja S.S will host Mujib Kasule’s Proline at the Kyabazinga Stadium in Jinja on 17th October 2017.