After three rounds, Lugazi FC finally got a well-deserved point in the Uganda premier league on Thursday. This followed an entertaining and tight 0-0 draw with Vipers SC at the Lugazi FC Stadium-Najjembe.

Although still at the base of the table, the result left the Leaders with one point, same as Mbarara City and Maroons FC.

Lugazi FC XI

Lugazi FC and Vipers were evenly poised with both sides crafting opportunities to fashion a goal but in vain.

The visitors came close to taking an early lead. Just inside one minute, Allan Okello latched on a ball at the edge of the box, and lobbed the defenders including the goalkeeper but it was too high.

From there on, the Leaders grew in confidence as the game progressed. They dominated in terms of ball possession and action in the middle of the park with Ali Bayo, Derrick Mwanje pulling strings in the midfield with a solid display.

Captain Richard Ayiko was unplayable in defence. He commanded his troops excellently from the off and proved tough whenever an opponent tried to trespass into our area.

A spirited roving fullback Muhammed Gift Lubega manned the right side of our defence well as he gave Yunus Sentamu a day to remember. Not only did he close the door for him but he quite often launched attacks, laid in crosses and linked up with Sam Ssemugugu and Bashamu Mugwa in the attack to menace the visitors’ rear guards.

Gift Lubega

Mugwa was a thorn to the venoms with dangerous moves throughout the 90 minutes as he dragged them right, left and centre. His striking partner – Ssemugugu who had the first shot on target for the Leaders, was also just dangerous whenever he had the ball.

There were penalty claims by Lugazi FC when Sharif Saaka was fouled in the forbidden area in the 23rd minute but they fell on the deaf ears of referee George Olemu.

Lubega and Mugwa combined to set up Ssemugugu whose overhead kick was claimed by goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu, before the Vipers custodian stopped another Lubega teasing cross in the 40th minute.

Bashamu Mugwa tussling with Milton Karisa of Vipers SC

The second half saw Mugwa, Ali Bayo and Ssemugugu threaten again but they failed to glide past Vipers goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu.

Lugazi FC return to action on Sunday October 6, with a trip to Luzira prisons grounds against Maroons FC.

Starting XI:

Juma Mutebi (GK), Richard Ayiko, Emmanuel Obua, Ali Bayo, Derrick Mwanje (Rogers Adriko), Bashamu Mugwa, Nelson Mandela (Ian Amanya), Sharif Saaka (Freedom Mungudit), Paul Wasswa, Sam Ssemugugu, Muhammed Lubega.

Unused Substitutes:

Solomon Akodi, George William Oluka, Abdul Kalanzi, Alvin Birungi.