StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Nyamityobora 1-2 Police
Mutessa II War Memorial War Memorial Stadium, Wankulukuku
Tuesday, 30-10-2018
WANKULUKUKU – Police FC overcame poor playing conditions as they defeated Nyamityobora 2-1 at a wet Mutessa II War Memorial stadium on Tuesday.
A brace from midfielder Ben Ocen was enough for Abdallah Mubiru’s side who have now won all their last two game. Patrick Gonahasa scored what proved to be a mere consolation for the home side.
After a delay of over 30 minutes due to excessive water on the pitch, the match finally kicked off and it was Nyamityobora who applied the early pressure. Inside the first three minutes, Charles Musige found himself in acres of space but could only shoot wide after he was teed up by John Wesley Kisakye.
Police who had stood firm and socked up pressure from the home side found the break through on six minutes when Ben Ocen unleashed a fierce drive from 25 yards, that flew over Hilary Jomi in Nyamityobora’s goal and into the roof of the net.
However, the Cop’s lead lasted only two minutes and the home side were level. Joseph Akandanwaho was fouled on the left side, captain Alex Komakech sent in a delightful cross from the resultant free-kick which found Patrick Gonahasa unmarked in the area to node past Davis Mutebi for 1-1.
Nyamityobora had a chance to make it 2-1 on 21 minutes but Gonahasa fired wide from a free-kick after Derrick Kiggundu was fouled by Hassan Kalega outside the area.
At the other end, Juma Balunya threaded a looping pass into the path of Norman Ojik who found himself one on one with Jomi but the forward could not control the pass as the chance went to waste.
With halftime approaching, Gonahasa again found himself unmarked in the Police area but his fierce drive was blocked out for a corner by Sadat Kyambadde.
At the start of the second half, Abdallah Mubiru introduced Johnson Odong replacing the ineffective Ojik as the Cops went in search of the winner.
However, it was Nyamityobora who started the half strongly, applying early pressure which resulted into two quick corners but both mounted to nothing meaningful in front of goal.
With seven minutes of the half played, Musiige pounced onto a loose ball around Police’s penalty area but shot straight at Mutebi who happily obliged and saved comfortably.
A minute later, the home side made a double substitution, sending on David Kiiza and Charles Ssebutinde in place of Kisakye and Martin Arinaitwe.
Kiiza nearly made instant impact two minutes later when he pounced onto a loose ball but his looping effort was tipped over by Mutebi for a corner that produced nothing as Police managed to clear their lines.
Moments later, Nyamityobora who looked to have the game under control came close to doubling their day’s tally as Akandwanaho headed Jerry Jakisa’s cross onto the cross bar.
After a spell of relentless pressure at their end, Police managed to take the game to Nyamityobora and Odong got his first sniff of goal but his weak effort could only find the side net and out for a goal kick.
However, the Cops would not be denied on the second time of asking as four minutes later, Ocen unleashed another fierce drive from outside the area, past Jomi and into the back of the net to make it 2-1 to the visitors.
In an attempt to see out the result, Mubiru took off Ruben Kimera and replaced him with former Proline Captain Simon Mbazira.
Gonahasa who looked lively all day then took it upon himself to search for an equaliser for his side.
First with 15 minutes to play, the striker took advantage of Police’s lousy defending and headed the ball towards goal but Paul Wila cleared it before it crossed the all important white-wash.
Three minutes later, he (Gonahasa) shot from distance but Mutebi was equal to the task.
The first and only yellow card of the game came two minutes from time and it was shown to Kalega after a foul on Ssebutinde.
The last chance of the game fell to Odong but the substitute could not score a third for Police as his curling effort was saved by Jomi.
Victory take Police to six points after five games and moves them as high as 9th on the table. This is their second successive victory after losing all of their first three games.
For Nyamityobora, it is their fourth loss of the season and they now slip into 15th spot with only three points accumulated so far.
Other games played on Tuesday:
– Kirinya JSS 2-2 Vipers SC
– Onduparaka 0-0 Bright Stars
– Maroons 1-2 Bul FC
– SC Villa 0-0 URA FC
– Ndejje University 1-0 Paidah Black Angels.
Wednesday’s fixtures:
– Express FC vs Tooro United @04:00pm
– KCCA FC vs Mbarara City @04:30pm
