Uganda Premier League
Bright Stars 1-1 Wakiso Giants
Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku
Wednesday, 11-09-2019
WANKULUKUKU – Substitute Ronald Nkonge scored a second half goal to ensure Bright Stars and Wakiso Giants draw 1-1 on Wednesday afternoon.
Nkonge who is the young brother to Uganda Cranes left-back Godfrey Walusimbi, lashed onto a lose ball in the area to fire into an empty net with 19 minutes to play.
This is Bright Stars’ second draw of the season, having shared spoils with Express FC on match-day two.
For Wakiso, it is their first stalemate and it sees them move to seven points for the season. The Purple Sharks have lost one and won two of their opening two games.
Profligate Wakiso fails to hold onto lead
Wakiso who had defeated both URA FC and Tooro United in their last two games, started the better side and exerted their superiority early
Inside the opening minute, Tom Matsiko saw a goal bound effort blocked by the brilliant Farouk Katongole.
Moments later, Sulaiman Ssebunza brought down Hassan Ssenyonjo inside the area leaving the referee without option but point to the spot.
Matsiko took responsibility and sent Simon Tamale the wrong way to hand Kefa Kisala’s side an early lead.
Wakiso dominated proceedings but were not creating many chances in front of goal.
Geoffrey Sserunkuma who is yet to get off the mark for his new side, headed just wide a Ssenyonjo pin-point accurate cross with a few minutes to the break.
The big center forward also saw a header cleared off the line by Ssebunza, early in the second half.
Vianne Ssekajugo then failed to pounce on a lose ball inside the area after Muwadda Kateregga’s cross had eluded the grasps of Tamale.
Inside the last five minutes of the game, substitute Krizestom Ntambi side footed Karim Ndugwa’s low cross-wide with Tamale rooted to his spot.
Bright Stars fight-on despite slow start
Like it has been the case in all their first three games, Bright Stars started slowly and struggled to get into the game.
Muhammad Kiseka’s side created only two worthy opportunities in the first half with Joseph Janjali shooting straight at Emukule and Brian Kayanja seeing a shot from inside the area go wide.
However, they looked a better side in the second half as they created several opportunities and dominated proceedings.
In the opening minutes of the half, Kayanja saw a powerful strike head just wide of the target.
Methodius Jungu then wasted a glorious opportunity from inside the area as he blasted over after he was played through on goal by Jamil Karisa.
However, the Stars’ dominance finally got the reward it deserved on 64 minutes. Moses Okot played Janjali through on goal and after the later rattled the cross bar, Nkonge was on hand to blast home the rebound with Derrrick Emukule stranded.
From there on wards, it was more of game management for the Stars as they held on to register a point.
Bright Stars are away to Maroons FC in their next fixture on Saturday while Wakiso Giants host Bul FC on the same day.
