Mbarara City picks vital point off 10 man Masavu in Entebbe

Uganda Premier League (Wednesday Results):

• Masavu 1-1 Mbarara City
• SC Villa Jogoo 2-0 Kirinya-Jinja S.S
• Onduparaka 0-0 URA

Violence has continued to be evidenced at the final bend of the 2017/18 Uganda Premier League.

Just like it happened when Express hosted KCCA at Wankulukuku on Tuesday, the Masavu-Mbarara City game witnessed scenes of ugly incidents from fans that led to stoppage of the match twice in the second half.

Masavu and Mbarara City Football clubs shared the spoils in a one all stalemate during a Uganda Premier League duel played at the Fisheries Training Institute, Bugonga on Wednesday.

In a well-attended game also watched by Uganda Cranes coaches Sebastien Desabre, Mathias Lule and Fred Kajoba, all the two goals were scored in the first stanza of the game.

Nigerian import Emmanuel Ibe Obinna converted a penalty in the 31^st minute for the opening goal.

Ten minutes later, Masavu made amends through defender Ibrahim Pengere’s well timed header at the back post, beating goalkeeper Ali Kimera.

Earlier before the breakthrough, Masavu had expressed the early intent to score.

Left winger Simon Namwanja’s cross was headed straight to the goalkeeper Ali Kimera by forward Ivan Lubaale from an acute angle just three minutes into the game.

Five minutes later, Masavu striker Bakulumpagi missed a free header off Sande Mukiibi’s curling corner kick.

It was once again Masavu in the 27^th minute when captain Abraham Ndugwa missed a goalkeeper to beat incident with a shot direct to the goalkeeper off another Namwanja low delivery.

The breakthrough moment of the game arrived on the half hour mark when defender Pengere whistled down Mbarara City’s forward and FIFA referee William Oloya pointed to the spot.

Obinna, like he had done a few days ago when he scored a last minute gasp penalty against SC Villa Jogoo in the one all draw was confident this time round to beat Salim Wekiya in Masavu’s goal for the opener off the resultant kick from the penalty spot.

Masavu’s response was instant when Pengere made amends for the penalty caused out-jumping the Mbarara City defenders to nod home the equalizer off Sande Mukiibi’s curling free-kick on the right.

In the second half, Masavu was reduced to 10 men when Philly Lutaaya picked two cautions following malicious fouls before he was red carded in the 73^rd minute.

There were ulgy scenes of fans’ violence and the game was twice stopped to control the situation.

First, fans threw objects towards the second assistant referee in the 60^th minute and 10 minutes later, about four fans ran to the field of play in an attempt to attack the center referee.

Police was swiftly called in on both incidents to tame the situation.

Mbarara City now has 28 points from 27 matches as they sit 12^th on the 16 team log.

Meanwhile, Masavu remains bottom lagged with 24 points off 27 outings.

Next Matches:

Mbarara City hosts another relegation threatened side, Proline at the Kakyeeka Stadium this coming Saturday.

On the same day, Masavu will be away to Kirinya-Jinja S.S at the Kyabazinga Stadium, Bugembe.

Next Matches:

Friday, 4^th May 2018

• Vipers Vs Police – St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
• Maroons Vs Bright Stars – Luzira Prisons Ground

Saturday, 5^th May 2018:

• Mbarara City Vs Proline – Kakyeeka Stadium, Mbarara
• Kirinya-Jinja S.S Vs Masavu – Bugembe Stadium, Jinja
• Soana Vs Onduparaka – Kavumba Recreational Stadium, Wakiso
• URA Vs Express – Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
• UPDF Vs SC Villa Jogoo – Bombo Barracks Ground

Top Scorers:

• Nelson Senkatuka – 13 Goals (Bright Stars)
• Muhammed Shaban – 12 Goals (KCCA)
• Dan Muzeyi Sserunkuma – 12 Goals (Vipers)
• Milton Karisa – 11 Goals (Vipers)
• Martin Kizza – 10 Goals (SC Villa Jogoo)
• Musa Esenu – 8 Goals (Kirinya-Jinja S.S)
• Fred Amaku – 8 Goals (Kirinya-Jinja S.S)
• Daniel Opolot Isiagi – 8 Goals (Kirinya-Jinja S.S)
• Viane Ssekajugo – 8 Goals (Onduparaka)