KCCA FC maintained their firm grip on the top spot with a hard-fought win over Wakiso Giants as the second round of the Uganda Premier League started on Thursday.
The Lugogo based won 1-0 at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium thanks to Rogers Mato’s strike at the stroke of halftime.
The goal however came with a bit of controversy and it took centre referee Ali Sabila to overrule his assistant Ronald Katenya who has raised the flag for offside.
In the process of Mato scoring, he contested for the ball with Lawrence Bukenya on the byline and the latter slipped off the pitch before Mato’s cross found Allan Okello.
Okello was tripped down by Hassan Ssenyonjo and should have been a penalty but Mato who was return on the pitch was given advantage and he fired the ball into the back of the net.
Mato seemed to have come from an offside position before scoring, however Sabila who had a discussion with Katenya pointed to the centre to the disappointment of the home crowd.
What does the law say?
Article 11 of the IFAB Laws of the game, Section 4 states that
“A defending player who leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission shall be considered to be on the goal line or touchline for the purposes of offside until the next stoppage in play or until the defending team has played the ball towards the halfway line and it is outside its penalty area. If the player left the field of play deliberately, the player must be cautioned when the ball is next out of play.”
Therefore, the goal rightly stands because Bukenya despite being off the pitch keeps any KCCA FC player onside.
Victory means KCCA FC stretch their lead at the top to 32 points, five ahead of second placed Vipers SC.
