- Uganda Premier League | MD10 | Thursday, November 5
- Ntugasaze FC 1-3 Entebbe UPPCÂ
Entebbe UPPC showed their fighting spirit with a superb second-half comeback to beat Ntugasaze 3-1 at the Kira Road Police Arena on Thursday, extending their unbeaten run to six matches in the Uganda Premier League.
The visitors had to dig themselves out of trouble after falling behind in the first half, but two goals from an inspired Ambrose Kigozi and another from Denis Otim turned the evening around and handed Entebbe UPPC all three points.
The victory lifted Entebbe UPPC to fourth place with 19 points after 10 matches, while Ntugasaze remained rooted in 16th position on four points, having managed only one win and a draw.
Entebbe UPPC had looked the livelier side from the opening minutes, moving the ball well and putting the Ntugasaze defence under pressure. Sharif Ssengendo tested goalkeeper Richard Afoyo with an early free kick after a foul on Kokolo in the third minute, but the goalkeeper gathered comfortably.
The visitors continued to push forward, creating promising openings but failing to find the finishing touch. Their inability to turn that early pressure into goals would eventually come back to haunt them.
Ntugasaze needed only one clear opportunity to punish their visitors. In the 26th minute, Jerome Otim delivered a fine cross that slipped beyond the Entebbe UPPC defence and found Kennedy Muserero in an onside position. The forward made no mistake, sending the ball into the net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Entebbe UPPC responded by pushing harder for an equaliser, but Ntugasaze defended resolutely. The visitors made a double substitution in the 37th minute, bringing on Mitrail Ndaza Sam Rutherford and Julius Poloto for Thomas Ochungo and Ibrahim Mugulusi in search of a breakthrough.
A free kick won after a foul on Jonathan Odongo presented another opportunity, but Reich Triomphe Kokolo’s delivery was safely handled by Afoyo.
Ntugasaze went into the break with their slender advantage intact, leaving Entebbe UPPC with plenty to do in the second half.
The visitors returned with renewed purpose, although Ntugasaze initially threatened to double their lead. Entebbe UPPC brought on Ahmed Amayo for the injured Kelvin Tah Barni at the start of the second half, and the change was followed by a gradual shift in momentum.
The breakthrough arrived in the 55th minute. Poloto delivered an inviting cross into the area, and Kigozi rose above the Ntugasaze defence to head home the equaliser.
At 1-1, Entebbe UPPC grew in confidence. They moved the ball with greater purpose, enjoyed more possession and began to take charge of the contest.
Ntugasaze introduced Johnson Odongo for Isaac Kiberu in the 60th minute, while Entebbe UPPC responded three minutes later with a double change that saw Steven Munguchi and Isa Bugembe replace Ronald Kayondo and Ssengendo.
The visitors’ pressure eventually told in the 75th minute, although their second goal came in rather unusual circumstances.
A long ball from the Entebbe UPPC goalkeeper found Kigozi, who was involved in a challenge with Ntugasaze defender Matovu. Goalkeeper Afoyo rushed off his line and collided with his own defender, leaving the ball unattended as it rolled into the net.
There was initially some uncertainty over whether Kigozi had touched the ball, but the goal was awarded to Denis Otim, putting Entebbe UPPC 2-1 ahead.
Two minutes later, Kigozi delivered the decisive blow. The forward found the net again in the 77th minute with a beautiful finish to complete his brace and stretch Entebbe UPPC’s advantage to 3-1.
It was a remarkable turnaround for the visitors, with Kigozi at the heart of everything that went right in the second half. His two goals earned him the Man of the Match accolade.
Ntugasaze tried to respond, making further changes in the 69th and 83rd minutes, but their efforts came too late to change the outcome. Ronald Kaye and Reagan Steven Male had earlier replaced Jerome Otim and Muserero, before Arafat and Charles Okello Batiibwe came on for Johnson Odongo and Junior Mayindi.
Fahad Nsamba was booked in the 84th minute as Ntugasaze struggled to regain control. Three minutes of added time followed, but Entebbe UPPC comfortably protected their advantage until the final whistle.
The defeat did little to change Ntugasaze’s position, although they can take some consolation from remaining the league’s best defensive side. Despite conceding three goals on Thursday, they have allowed only four goals across their league campaign, according to the supplied league statistics.
Entebbe UPPC will now prepare to host Kataka at Hamz Stadium after the International break on November 19, while Ntugasaze travel to face URA FC at the same venue the following day.
Thursday’s Matchday 10 programme continues and features Express FC hosting Blacks Power at Hamz Stadium at 7pm, with Vipers scheduled to welcome Lugazi FC at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende an hour later.