Lugazi FC returned to winning ways in the Uganda premier league after recording a 1-0 victory over Express FC on Thursday.
Sharif Saaka’s worldie from the edge of the box fired the Leaders ahead, his first goal in Lugazi FC colours, on the stroke of halftime.
The forward picked a pass from Sam Ssemugugu on 44 minutes – accelerating into the box before curling a ferocious shot past substitute goalkeeper Micheal Kagiri, and into the roof of the net at the far end to spark wild celebrations at the Lugazi FC Stadium.
It’s Lugazi FC’s fifth league win this term, and it means Steven Bogere’s men completed a league double over the Red Eagles having won the first meeting in October by the same margin. The victory however did not change our position on the table standings as we remained 11th but took our points tally to 23, just two behind KCCA FC in the seventh place.
Two changes were made to the side that lost to NEC FC last week as Sam Ssemugugu and Rogers Adriko all returned to the starting team in place of Shafiq Avemah and the suspended Derrick Mwanje.
It took some time for the game to see its first proper opportunity, with the visitors crafting the first chance of the contest after fourteen minutes. A well threaded ball through the middle sent Samuel Ssenyonjo one on one with goalkeeper Juma Mutebi who stuck his right foot out to deny the forward.
The Leaders soon tried to make early breakthrough too, as Emmanuel Obua, Freedom Mungudit, Ssemugugu and Ali Bayo threatened with attempts at goal but they couldn’t find the target.
A Richard Ayiko free kick from just outside the box ended with goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa claiming the ball infront of Ssemugugu in the 17th minute.
At this moment, Lugazi FC was attacking with intent which forced Bogere’s opposite – Badru Kaddu Mukasa to call for early changes – Kagiri replacing Kalyowa between the uprights, while Ashraf Mbazira and Joseph Zziwa came on for Isa Kisuule and Isa Lumu midway the first half.
Their impact was immediately seen as Express began to play with confidence especially at the back. Mutebi was forced to make another fine stop, with the goalkeeper palming Richard Basangwa’s hard shot into a conor.
It somehow became a battle of the midfield between Uncle Six – Ali Bayo and veteran Saidi Kyeyune. The Leaders soon regained control of the game and took charge of the proceedings again.
Ssemugugu was played through space on the right side, the forward then took a step forward near the conor flag before picking out Saaka who forced his way to the goal. Saaka took two touches enroute to the goal area – with the third one coming off his weak left foot, but the effort behind it was enough to beat Kagiri, and direct into the net one minute to the break.
After returning for the second half, Steven Bogere made tactical tweaks to his side in the 56th minute – making four substitutions at ago. Emmanuel Obua, Abdul Kalanzi, Sharif Saaka and Sam Ssemugugu all paved way for the fresh legs of Lutakome Jumah Junior, Ian Amanya, Alvin Birungi and Shafiq Avemah.
This overhaul almost allowed Express back into the game as they began to create in-roads in the midfield.
But Lugazi FC withstood the pressure from the visitors with a good piece of goalkeeping, defending, and only attacking when it was safe to do so. Lutakome even thought he had doubled our advantage as the game wore on but he was flagged offside.
The Leaders are next in league action on Thursday next week, away to Mbale Heroes at the Mbale Municipal Stadium in Mbale.
Starting XI:
Juma Mutebi (GK), Richard Ayiko ©, Emmanuel Obua (Lutakome Jumah Junior 56’), Joseph Othieno, Ali Bayo, Sharif Saaka (Alvin Birungi 56’), Abdul Kalanzi (Ian Amanya 56’), Paul Wasswa, Sam Ssemugugu ( Shafiq Avemah 56’), Rogers Adriko (Hussein Ssenoga 64’), Freedom Mungudit.
Unused substitutes:
Fahad Emuran, Moses Buga, Juma Sajjabi, Muhammed Gif Lubega.
