- Masavu 1-1 Bright Stars
Masavu Football Club and Bright Stars played to a one all draw at the lake side Fisheries Training Institute playground in Bugonga, Entebbe on Friday.
In a game of limited goal scoring opportunities, the visitors took the lead after 61 minutes when winger John Kokas Opejo’s thunderbolt found the upright corner of the net for the exciting opener.
Masavu found the equalizer 12 minutes from full time through their team captain Abraham Ndugwa who curled home a beautiful free-kick over the wall and the goalkeeper for the equalizer.
As early as the 5th minute, Masavu showed the early intent to command the game when Sadala Ddumba ( returning from a four match suspension) hit the woodwork with a free-kick from 25 yards out.
The visiting team suffered a set-back in the 10th minute when midfielder Mahad Kiseeka, a mid-season signing limped out for former Masavu captain Henry Kiwanuka.
Bright Stars’ holding midfielder Brian Enzama was cautioned by referee Muzamiru Wasswa midway the first half.
He was followed in the book by Masavu’s defender Benjamin Nyakoojo, a loanee from Vipers Sports Club.
Bright Stars skipper Nelson Senkatuka had the first attempt at the opponent’s goal 34 minutes into the first half, but his shot was blasted high of goal post.
Masavu right back, Philly Lutaaya was cautioned a minute later for a foul on Samuel Ssekitto.
Towards the end of the first half, Masavu striker Ivan Lubaale also got cautioned for a deliberate handball foul as the opening stanza of the game ended all square goal-less.
As the second half kicked off, mid-season signing Arthur Ssemazi replaced the weary legs of Lubaale in Masavu’s first change of the game.
A minute after the hour mark, Opejo scored a beauty to give Bright Stars the lead.
Opejo on the far left flank recieved a poked ball from Andrew Kaggwa, cut inside before he curled home the ball in the far upper right of the goal posts, about 35 yards yards away.
He ran off towards the corner flag, somersaulted and gun shot the teammates in a lively mockery celebration as the sound of a dropping pin could be heard aloud across the lake side dry patched stadium.
On 72 minutes, Ssemazi nearly found the equalizer after header off a decent James Kasibante cross from the left.
Bright Stars goalie out stretched to parry the ball although the off-side flag had also been signaled.
Masavu then called for their second change of the game when stocky striker Rashid Kyambadde replaced holding midfielder Herbert ‘Senior player’ Kakande in a bid to add numbers upfront.
The move instantly paid off when Ndugwa scored from a free-kick for the equalizer. The free-kick was a result of a foul on Simon Namwanja by defender.
With about 10 minutes to the end of the game, Moses Okot paved way for Jimmy Kakembo in Bright Stars final change.
There was a tense ending of the game as the two sides desperately attacked in search of a winning goal that never arrived.
Uganda Cranes assistant coach Mathias ‘Salongo’ Lule watched the game at Bugonga.
This was Masavu’s 5th consecutive draw of the second round (after stalemate with UPDF, Maroons, KCCA and BUL), the 7th overall in the season.
A point added for Masavu took them to 14th place with 19 points, above Proline (18 points).
Proline lost 1-0 at their Lugogo home to visiting BUL.
Meanwhile, Bright Stars drops to 10th with 24 points.
Match day 20 continues with three games on Saturday, 10th March 2018.
Team Line ups:
Masavu XI: Salim Wekiya (G.K), Philly Lutaaya, Sande Mukiibi, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Ibrahim Pengere, Herbert Kakande (75’ Rashid Kyambadde), Ddumba Sadala (20’ Charles Wamala), Simon Namwanja, Abraham Ndugwa (Captain), Ivan Lubaale (46’ Arthur Ssemazi), James Kasibante
Subs Not Used: Hussein Mulawa (G.K),Rashid Kyambadde, Charles Wamala, Arthur Ssemazi, Sulaiman Ochero, Ashadu Bakulumpagi
Bright Stars XI: Benson Wagima (G.K), Andrew Kaggwa, Samuel Ssekitto, Enock Walusimbi, Farouk Katongole, Sula Ssebunza Ssekajja, John Kokas Opejo, Brian Enzama, Nelson Senkatuka, Mahad Kiseeka (10’ Henry Kiwanuka), Moses Okot (82’ Jimmy Kakembo)
Subs Not Used: Hamza Muwonge (G.K), Innocent Assimwe, Jimmy ‘Kachanga’ Kakooza, Joshua Kawadwa, Ramex Kasozi
