- Uganda Premier League| MD 9 | Saturday October 31stÂ
- BUL FC 1-1 Entebbe UPPC FC
Reich Triomphe Kokolo left it late but delivered when Entebbe UPPC needed him most, rising to head home a dramatic 93rd-minute equaliser and deny BUL FC victory in a 1-1 Uganda Premier League draw at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on Saturday.
BUL were just seconds away from collecting all three points after Alex Kitata had given them the lead, but Kokolo had other ideas. The UPPC forward connected with a delivery from Mitrail Ndza Sam Ruthefield deep into stoppage time to snatch a point for the visitors and leave the hosts frustrated.
It was Kokolo’s second goal of the season and a fitting reward for his persistence. His contribution also earned him the Man of the Match award, although his celebrations came at a price as he received a yellow card for taking off his shirt.
The visitors had shown early signs of danger, with Ibrahim Mugulusi coming close to opening the scoring in the seventh minute. However, BUL goalkeeper Wokorach was equal to the task, producing an excellent save to keep the hosts level.
The match had barely settled when an early collision between BUL’s Okello and UPPC’s Kokolo in the opening minute forced the referee to call for medical attention for both players.
The opening exchanges remained evenly contested, with neither side finding a breakthrough during the first 20 minutes. The tension spilt over in the 22nd minute when UPPC coach Abdullah Mubiru was cautioned after protesting a throw-in decision awarded to BUL and confronting the assistant referee.
UPPC suffered an early setback in the 31st minute when Mugulusi made way for Steven Munguchi, while BUL responded five minutes later by introducing Martin Aprem for Reagan Kalyowa.
Jonathan Odong became the next UPPC player to receive a yellow card in the 38th minute as the game grew increasingly competitive.
BUL eventually found the breakthrough three minutes later. Simon Achidi delivered a cross into the danger area, and Kitata was in the right place to tap home in the 42nd minute.
The celebrations were briefly interrupted when Kitata collided with the goalpost and went down, requiring treatment before play could continue.
Aprem picked up a yellow card in the 45th minute as BUL went into the break with a 1-0 advantage after three minutes of added time.
UPPC returned from the interval with renewed purpose and almost found an immediate response. Just a minute into the second half, Wokorach produced another fine save to deny the visitors what looked like a certain equaliser.
BUL made their second change in the 50th minute, bringing on Laurence Olaboro for Derrick Byabachwezi, as they sought to maintain their advantage.
George Kasonko was booked in the 57th minute before the hosts made a triple substitution in the 69th minute, introducing Swabir Mpasa, Sowedi Lwenda and Benon Niyonzima for Kasonko, Kitata and Richard Okello.
Niyonzima was cautioned a minute after coming on, while UPPC introduced Ibrahim Oriti for Sharif Sengendo in the 71st minute.
As the minutes slipped away, BUL appeared to have done enough to protect their lead. They remained in front at the 80th and 85th-minute marks, leaving UPPC with little time to find a way back.
Four minutes were added at the end of regulation time, and UPPC made one final change in the 92nd minute, sending on Mitrail Ndza Sam Ruthefield for Thomas Ochungo.
It was a substitution that would make all the difference.
Barely a minute after coming on, Ruthefield provided the delivery that Kokolo met with a powerful header in the 93rd minute, sending the ball into the net and rescuing a point for the visitors.
Kokolo’s celebrations were understandably emotional, but removing his shirt earned him a booking. By then, however, the damage to BUL’s hopes of victory had been done.
The draw leaves BUL third on the league table with 20 points, while Entebbe UPPC occupy fourth position on 16 points, four behind their opponents.
BUL will have little time to dwell on the dropped points as they prepare to host SC Villa on November 3. Entebbe UPPC, meanwhile, will travel to the Kira Road Police Arena to face Ntugasaze on November 5.
Elsewhere, Kitara FC also picked up maximum points after edging UPDF FC 1-0 at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo. Benjamin Nyakoojo scored the only goal of the match in the 13th minute, finishing off a pass from Jeromy Kirya.
KCCA FC enjoyed a 3-1 away victory over Mbarara City FC in Kamwenge. Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Charles Lwanga and Sammy Ssebaduka found the net for the visitors, while Ronald Odwok scored Mbarara City’s consolation.
In Bukedea, Fahad Aziz Bayo scored the decisive goal as NEC FC overcame a stubborn Blacks Power side 1-0 to collect all three points.
The day’s programme was scheduled to conclude with URA FC hosting Vipers SC at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, in an 8 pm kick-off.
