Azam Uganda Premier League
Proline FC 0-0 SC Villa
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Monday, 21-05-2018
Proline FC can only have themselves to blame for not taking all three points as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to SC Villa.
The Mujibu Kasule coached side missed several opportunities including hitting the bar at the start of the second half in a match that they clearly dominated.
The game was played at a low tempo especially in the first half with the only notable highlight being Nassar Lwamunda coming on for Proline number one goalkeeper Saidi Keni on 35 minutes after the latter had been injured.
At the start of the second half, Proline looked to have switched to a new gear as Ronald Musana tried his luck from range but looked on as the ball sailed over.
Seconds later, Musana was at it again, this time crossing in from the right for striker Daniel Isiagi who volleyed the ball onto the cross bar and out for a goal kick.
Four minutes later, Musana crossed in for Isaac Owori who headed wide off the target inside the six yard box.
Villa’s first real sight of goal came five minutes later when Arthur Kiggundu delivered a cross from the left and it was fumbled by goalkeeper Lwamunda but when the ball fell at Alex Kitata’s feet, the striker could not stair it towards goal and Proline managed to clear their lines.
SC Villa had goalkeeper Samson Kirya to thank on 68 minutes when the custodian excellently saved a Musana goal bound free kick after Bernard Muwanga had brought down Isiagi outside the box.
At the other end, Martin Kizza sent in a corner from the right which was headed across goal by Henry Katongole but Alan Kyambadde could not capitalize as the referee blow the whistle for offside.
Villa were dealt a huge blow with 20 minutes to play when captain Bernard Muwanga limped off injured and was substituted by Issa Lumu. The extent of his injury is still unknown but with a cup semifinal at home to Vipers coming on Sunday, the 16 time league champions should be worried.
A minute later, Kyambadde pounced onto a loose ball in Proline’s penalty area but Lwamunda saved brilliantly to keep the scores 0-0.
With 15 to play, Proline players exchanged several passes outside of Villa’s box and Captain Joseph Mandela teed up Musana who attempted a lob that sailed over Kirya’s goal.
SC Villa’s best chance of the game came with eight minutes of the 90 to play when Lwamunda punched a Simon Sserunkuma powerful free kick into the path of defender Joseph Nsubuga but he could only blast the ball over with the goal at his mercy.
Moments later, Lwamunda made a heart stopping save when Mujuzi Mustafa tried to head the ball back to him but it proved too powerful and the custodian stretched to punch it over.
Deep into added time, Musana sent in another delightful cross from the right which was missed by both Isiagi and Mandela and the ball went out begging for a Villa throw in.
The result leaves Proline second from bottom with 28 points from 29 games but now move level with Express in 15.
Express play Vipers tomorrow and a win for the Red Eagles would all but confirm Proline’s relegation to the Big League.
For Villa, they remain third on the log with 55 points and now that there is only one game to play, the Jogoos will have to wait for another year to win a first title since 2004 as they currently seat four points behind leaders Vipers SC.
Tomorrow’s games in the Azam UPL:
-KCCA FC vs Bul FC @04:00pm
-Vipers SC vs Express FC @04:00pm
