StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Nyamityobora 2-1 Mbarara City
Mutessa II War Memorial Stadium
Wednesday, 24-10-2018
WANKULUKUKU – Nyamityobora came from behind to defeat Mbarara City 2-1 in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League on Wednesday.
In the game played at Wankulukuku,
Hilary Mukundane headed the Ankole Lions in front at the stroke of half-time but the home side responded with two second half strikes of their own from substitutes Joseph Akwandanaho and Charles Kiggundu of to win the Mbarara derby and in process, register their first points of the season.
Mbarara started strongly asking all the questions and in the process getting the first corner of the game which yielded nothing.
The first notable attempt on goal came on three minutes, when Zaidi Byekwaso crossed in for Odit Ibrahim who headed straight at Jomi Hillary in Nyamityobora’s goal.
Mbarara was forced into an early substitution as Ivan Eyam was stretchered off with a knee injury and replaced with Steven Kabuye.
Nyamityobora’s first worthy chance came on 27 minutes when Dada Juma crossed in from the right, Patrick Gonahasa headed towards goal and Lameck put it in the back of the net but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The home side looked to have grown into the game and Dada was at it again, sending a low cross into the area but Gonahasa shot tamely straight at Ali Kimera in Mbarara’s goal.
Mbarara’s marquee signing Paul Mucureezi got a chance to put his side one up in the 36th minute but his free-kick was saved excellently by Jomi.
Like Mbarara earlier, Nyamityobora were also forced into a substitution before the break as Joseph Akandanwaho replaced the injured John Wesley Kisakye.
At the stroke of half-time, Mbarara took the lead through Hilary Mukundane who headed Mucureezi’s well taken free-kick kick into the bottom right corner. It was the last action of the half and referee Brian Nsubuga blew for the mandatory rest.
In an attempt to chase the game, James Odoch introduced forward Misiige Charles for midfielder Kiggundu Derrick at the start of the second half.
After a slow start to the second half, Muhammad Rashid was booked for time wasting on 53 minutes and straight after, Livingstone Mbabazi brought on team captain Kutego Alishe in place of Umari Mbusa to try and see out the 1-0 lead.
As Mbarara attempted to slow down the game, Mucureezi was also booked by Nsubuga for time wasting.
Odit had a chance to make it 2-0 on 64 minutes but could only head wide Jasper Ahebwa’s inch perfect cross while unmarked in the area.
Ten minutes later, substitute Kiggundu made Odit pay for his missed chance as he connected brilliantly with Steven Kabuye’s cross to tap in past Kimera for 1-1.
On 78 minutes, Karim Ndugwa raced through on Nyamityobora’s goal but decided to play in Mucureezi while one on one with Jomi and somehow the home side managed to clear their lines.
As Mbarara upped it, Alishe blasted over from close range after he was teed up by Odit with nine minutes to play.
With the game headed for a draw, Nyamityobora caught Livingstone Mbabazi’s side on the break and Akandwanaho found himself in acres of space, he unleashed a fierce drive into the top right corner to put the home side 2-1 up on 89 minutes.
Despite a late surge by Mbarara to score an equalizer, Nyamityobora held on to a first victory of the season.
The three points lift Nyamityobora off the bottom into 14th place while Mbarara slip to 7th on the log with six points from four games.
The other results from Wednesday’s games:
-SC Villa 1-3 Vipers SC
-Maroons FC 1-1 URA FC
-Ndejje University FC 1-2 Police FC
