Sports Club Villa Jogoo 1-0 Express
Sports Club Villa Jogoo edged Express 1-0 during a well contested derby match at the Masaka Recreational Stadium on Friday.
Striker Alex ‘Benzema’ Kitata scored the priceless goal two minutes from full time after a lapse in concentration at the Express back line.
The former Saints forward tapped the ball in between the legs of advancing goalkeeper Godwin Buule after Ibrahim Kiyemba’s long ball was brushed by defender Henry Kiseeka into Kitata’s finish.
The striker was well celebrated by the players, technical bench and the home fans since they knew the game was now done and dusted.
By and large, Express had been the better side in the game. Diminutive striker Daniel Sserunkuma hit the lower post after a Sharif Muhammed Ochaya’s assist from the right 5 minutes into the game.
Express winger Mubarak Nsubuga had a physical contest with make shift SC Villa Jogoo Musa Muksaa during the opening quarter an hour of the game.
SC Villa left winger Vitalis Tabu, who had a silent day at office attempted a weak left footed shot from over 30 yards on 20 minutes.
Five minutes to the half hour mark, goalkeeper Buule jumped well to collect a high ball from Joseph Nsubuga.
Buule also closed down Lwesibawa from an acute angle to force a corner.
On 35 minutes, Tabu had a free-kick high of the goal posts.
Towards the climax of the first half Lwesibawa failed to tap into the net after Buule hesitated to deal with a high tempting ball swung in from the left.
A minute later, SC Villa midfielder Nicholas Kasozi had a shot from distance well tamed by Buule
Bbule nearly injured himself after falling to the ground when back tracking a high ball from Lwesibawa.
Half time read goal-less and there was hope there would be a break through as the teams returned.
The Jogoos called for a double change as the second half returned.
In came Yubu Bogere and Martin Kizza for Mukasa and Tabu respectively.
The changes meant more pressure up front for the home team. Kizza occupied the left attack flank and Bogere paired Senkaaba in the quest for goals.
Two minutes into the second half, Bogere had a beautiful cut back for Lwesibawa who shot wide of goal from close range.
Three minutes later, Kizza hit the side netting from the left as Wasswa Bbosa’s side piled more pressure.
To cool the tempo, Bisaso then called off left back Congolese import Promise Mpokene for forward Michael Birungi.
FIFA Referee Ali Sabilla waved for play on the hour mark following a suspect handball incident of Henry Katongole.
Another glorious chance for the visitor fell to left back Sulaiman Jjngo whose free kick was parried out for a corner by Villa goalkeeper Samson Kirya after 62 minutes.
Sserunkuma then had a goal bound shot blocked by Henry Katongole on the 70th minute mark.
With 16 minutes left on the clock, Uganda U-20 star midfielder Sharif Ochaya Muhammed paved way for fast paced winger Juma Ssebaduka.
Bogere had a shot flying wide from distance after 76 minutes before the day’s hero Kitata replaced Lwesibawa with 12 minutes to play.
Former Makerere University left footed midfielder Davis Mayanja became the first and only player to be cautioned following high boot towards Kitata.
Six minutes to full time, Birungi’s shot off his weaker left foot kissed the cross bar.
The defining moment of the match arrived in the 88th minute. Kiyemba’s long ball from the left was brushed by defender Kiseeka into the path of Kitata.
Kitata, from an acute angle tapped the ball through the legs of Buule for the lone strike that won the day.
SC Villa is now top of the table for the first time this season with 25 points off 12 matches.
The bitter loss for Express was the second straight for head coach Shafiq Bisaso since arrival last week to replace Douglas Bamweyana who resigned after alleged interference in his line of jurisdiction.
The Red Eagles linger in the relegation waters as they are 14th with a mere 11 points collected in 12 games.
Police is second with 23 points and the reigning champions, KCCA who fell 2-0 to rivals Proline are third with 22 points.
Next Games:
Express will visit Soana at Kavumba Recreational Stadium this coming Tuesday as SC Villa Jogoo makes the Entebbe trip to face debutants Masavu.
SC Villa Jogoo XI: Samson Kirya (G.K), Joseph Nsubuga, Musa Mukasa (46′ Yubu Bogere), Ibrahim Kiyemba, Henry Katongole, Bernard Muwanga (C), Godfrey Lwesibawa (78′ Alex Kitata), Nicholas Kasozi, George Senkaaba, Allan Kyambadde, Vitalis Tabu (46′ Martin Kizza)
Subs Not Used: Samuel Kivumbi (G.K), Abel Eturude, Ramadhan Dudu, Ambrose Kirya
Express F.C XI: Godwin Buule (G.K), Edgar Bwogi, Promise Mkepna (50′ Micheal Birungi), Ronnie Kisseka, Omar Hitimana, Suleiman Jjingo, Steven Luswata (G.K), Davis Mayanja, Sharif Ochaya Muhammed (74′ Juma Ssebaduka), Mubarak Nsubuga, Mzee Dan Sserunkuma
Subs Not Used: Emmanuel Opio(G.K), Steven Bengo, David Ndihabwe
Match Officials:
- Center Referee: Ali Sabilla
- 1st Assistant Referee: Musa Balikowa
- 2nd Assistant Referee: Issa Masembe
- 4th Official: Fred Byamukama
- Assessor: Amin Bbosa
