Lugazi FC put up a resolute display on Thursday night away to KCCA FC at the MTN Omondi Stadium, and earned a vital point to move two places up on the table – to the fourth place with four points after three games.
Co-head coaches Francis Mugerwa and Steven Bogere made three changes to the starting side that lost to Entebbe UPPC at the beginning of this month as Amos Etoju, Adam Mutesaasira and Alfred Leku came into the starting eleven.
It was a debut for Mutesaasira and played the entire ninety minutes in a four man defence, while it was the first start for the latter.
They replaced Dauson Mafumu, Ssajjabi Juma, and Abdul Kalanzi who settled for the bench.
From the first whistle, the Leaders showed high degrees of discipline and composure at the back, frustrating the hosts at every moment, in the game that had few clear chances.
As Mutesaasira and Rogers Atube closed down the flanks, Paul Wasswa and Captain Richard Ayiko thwarted any potential threat that came through the middle.
Etoju effectively provided the cover from the midfield with his timely interceptions, tackling and good passing while allowing Derrick Mwanje and David Bagoole to join the attack whenever the team was in possession.
Leku was also a thorn in KCCA’s defense with his robust runs in between the lines and good hold up play. He was just unlucky that any of his hard shots didn’t beat Charles Lukwago in the home team’s goal.
The star of the game was however goalkeeper – Juma Mutebi as he made crucial saves to deny Sammy Raynald Ssebaduka twice, and Umar Lutalo in the first half.
He remained outstanding throughout the second half and kept his first clean sheet of the campaign to earn the man of the match award. But he received a yellow card in the 67th minute for reacting to a refereeing decision when KCCA FC was awarded a corner kick that he thought never was.
Sharif Saaka was also cautioned for foul play on Joel Sserunjogi. Mwanje and KCCA’s Saidi Mayanja were also issued a yellow card each for violent conduct against each other deep in the second half.
Lugazi FC will now turn all the attention to URA FC who they host on Wednesday next week at the Lugazi FC Stadium, Najjembe.
Starting XI:
Juma Mutebi (GK), Richard Ayiko, Derrick Mwanje (Dauson Mafumu 76’), Sharif Saaka, David Bagoole, Adam Mutesaasira, Paul Wasswa, Alfred Leku, Amos Etoju, Rogers Atube, Freedom Mungudit.
Unused substitutes:
Allan Igama Batali (GK), Joseph Othieno, Yusuf Mafabi, Ashiraf Mulindi, Moses Buga, Paul Busolo, Solomon Okwalinga, Abdul Kalanzi, Juma Ssajjabi.
