A battling performance saw Lugazi FC draw 0-0 at home to Express FC on Thursday
It was a cagy affair, and much of the action was in the middle of park as both sides went for safety first for large parts of the game. There were however some occasional attacks from both sides but neither team could find the finishing touch, and both left the Lugazi FC Stadium with a point.
Coming into today’s game, the coaches made three changes to their side following the previous league game at Buhimba United Saints. Yusuf Mafabi, Solomon Okwalinga and Amos Etoju came into the eleven, replacing Alvin Birungi, Abdul Kalanzi, and Alfred Leku.
Francis Mugerwa and Steven Bogere’s side had the brighter start to the game with Ashiraf Mulindi having a shot from close range that wheeled just inches away following a good pass from David Bagoole in the 9th minute.
Mulindi found himself in the box again eight minutes later, and this time face to face with Ramadhan Ali Mwirusi when Adam Mutesaasira crafted a cross into the area but the goalkeeper raced off his line in time to sniff out the danger.
It was a fantastic opening half from the Leaders, and they almost took the lead through Bagoole; however, his glancing header at minute 25 ricocheted off the bar.
Throughout this period, Lugazi FC limited Express FC to just one chance that came after a defensive mix up midway the first half but the Leaders recovered well to block the shot from the visitors.
They were again the better side even in the second half with some flowing football on display especially after the introduction of Freedom Mungudit, Moses Buga and Abdul Kalanzi.
Mungudit and Buga were causing problems on both flanks, and combined four minutes off the hour mark to send the Red Eagles into a panic mode. A diagonal pass by Mungudit to the goal-line was met by Buga whose cut back into the box was by chance poked away by the goalkeeper.
Lugazi FC hit the woodwork for the second time in the game, on the 90th minute mark. Following a fast break, Mulindi was fouled near the edge of the 18-yard box. Kalanzi took responsibility of the resultant free-kick and let the ball fly over the wall, and with Mwirusi seemingly beaten, the ball cannoned back off the bar.
Following some minutes of stoppage time, referee Daniel Outeke brought the game to a close, meaning the points were shared in the forest.
Francis Mugerwa, Steven Bogere and their men are now four games unbeaten at home this campaign following the past victories against Calvary, Buhimba and the draw against URA FC.
Thursday’s result saw the Leaders climb one place up, and to the 8th position on the table with 9 points after seven rounds of play. Their next league fixture is away to Maroons FC on Tuesday next week.
Starting XI:
Juma Mutebi (GK), Richard Ayiko, Dauson Mafumu, Yusuf Mafabi (Moses Buga 46’), Ashiraf Mulindi (Paul Busolo 90+), David Bagoole, Adam Mutesaasira, Solomon Okwalinga (Freedom Mungudit 46’), Paul Wasswa, Amos Etoju (Abdul Kalanzi 68’), Rogers Atube.
Unused substitutes:
Allan Batali Igama (GK), Joseph Othieno, Edrine Junior Owachgiu, Birungi Alvin, Juma Ssajjabi, Akiram Massa.
