StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Police FC 1-0 Bright Stars FC
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Wednesday, 12-12-2018
LUGOGO – Simon Mbazira’s first half strike was enough to give Police FC a 1-0 victory over Bright Stars in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League game played Lugogo on Wednesday.
His performance on the day, earned him a man of the Match award courtesy of Pilsner Lager and in process, took home Sh100,000.
“We chased the ball right today, and I believe we were the better team that deserved to win, Mbazira briefly noted shortly after the game.
The victory takes Police to seventh spot on the 16 team log with 17 points, displacing Kirinya Jinja. This is the fifth win for Abdullah Mubiru’s side this season. The Cops had already beaten up on Ndejje University, Nyamityobora, Tooro United and Mbarara City before victory over the Stars on Wednesday.
Speaking after the game, Coach Mubiru noted: “We didn’t create many chances today, we didn’t keep the ball as well as we wanted but managed to defend well. It is a clean sheet for us and a big result.”
How the game unfolded:
Galiwango’s cross into the area was chest controlled by Juma Balinya before Mugume poked the ball in Mbaziira’s slot to unleash the trigger into the upper corner of Hamzah Muwonge’s goal posts in the 23rd minute for the only goal of the game.
Two minutes to the half hour mark, Bright Stars’ captain Senkatuka was denied by goalkeeper Davis Mutebi through a well taken free-kick.
Ronald Nyanzi had an attempt fly across goal in the 30th minute as Police fought to double the lead.
Bright Stars’left winger Samuel Ssekitto had an in-swinging dangerous free-kick well handled by the busy and alert Mutebi as the first half neared its climax.
Hassan Kalega nearly doubled Police’s lead on the stroke of half time but he missed the connection off Balinya’s delivery inside the goal area with the goalie Muwonge beaten at the near post.
As the second half kicked off, there was a five minute injury break to allow Police goalkeeper Mutebi who lay down in pain following a knock.
Desperate to pull off a positive result, Bright Stars technical team led by Fred Kajoba called for a double change. Mahad Kissekka and Jjunju paved way for the fresh legs of Alfred Onek and Henry Kiwanuka respectively in the 60th minute.
Five minutes ahead, Police called for their first change, pacey left-footed winger Johnson Odongo replaced the largely effective Ashraf Mugume before towering forward Norman Ojik came in for the injured Ronald Nyanzi with 18 minutes left on the clock.
Senkatuka was booked out of frustration inside the final quarter.
Bright Stars’ last change of the evening witnessed Andrew Kaggwa take Samuel Sekitto’s place in the 75th minute.
Substitute Kiwanuka combined with Juma Ssebaduka but the former’s shot towards the goal was a routine collection for goalkeeper Mutebi on 79 minutes.
Ruben Kimera got cautioned as the minutes ticked towards the death point before he was pulled off for Shakur Makeera.
Bright Stars had the final attempt towards goal, striker Brian Kayanja with a back headed effort off Faruku Katongole’s chipped free-kick.
The effort did not yield any dividends before the game elapsed.
This wasPolice’s 5th victory of the season, good enough to displace Kirinya-Jinja S.S out of 7thplace.
Police, justl ike Kirinya-Jinja S.S both have 17 points (the former has a superior goal difference).
Bright Stars lose their unbeaten run, remaining in third place with 20 points.
