Honours were shared at the Lugazi FC Stadium as we drew 1-1 with Kenya giants – Tusker in an international friendly on Saturday.
This was the third pre-season game for Lugazi FC– following wins over Ujenge Fair and Lufula FC, but the first high profile encounter for the team since it was promoted to the topflight.
Joseph Mwangi took the lead for the away side in the 16th minute.
Samuel Ssemugugu then equalized for the Leaders with one minute left on the clock to end the first half.
Lugazi FC got off to a lively start after six minutes when Bashir Asiku flashed a great strong ball at the near post from close range but Brian Opondo in the visitors’ goal dived right and early enough to deflect his effort into the corner.
Sadick Ssempigi and his men kept the pressure up. Sharif Saaka whipped in the resultant corner into a dangerous area but Thomas Omole stood in its way with an impulse clearance which fell into Asiku’s path before Thomas Teka headed far and safe for the Brewers.
Tusker grew into the game as it progressed. They began to hold possession with confidence and as a result, they drew the first blood in the 16th minute.
Micheal Odour was at the centre of the attack, dispatching a ferocious shot from the edge of the area. Fahad Emuran came off his line and had a hand on the strike. His punch was however met by a sniffing Joseph Mwangi who tapped into an empty net to give the visitors an early advantage.
At this moment, the Leaders were down but not broken. They looked for a quick response with Emmanuel Obua firing wide following a counter attack.
Moses Buga picked out Sharif Saaka a few moments later, the forward drifted inside from the left channel and called Opondo into action with a teasing shot but the goalkeeper was equal to the task.
The next chance of the game fell to the Brewers just a minute to the half hour mark. Dennis Wanjala released a low a ball that looked dangerous in the eyes of the spectators but not to Emuran who claimed the ball with ease.
Lugazi FC came close once more and this time through Buga. The pacy winger dispossessed Thomas Teka on the left side and into the box where he left Alex Onchwari crawling. However, Opondo refused to be beaten by the wide man in a close range situation.
Ali Bayo had his free kick parried away by the standout Opondo before Samuel Ssemugugu was flagged offside after being played through on goal by Sharif Saaka in the 39th minute.
On the cusp of halftime, Ssemugugu restored parity for the Leaders with a clinical finish from a difficult angle to send the stands into a frenzy.
That was the last action worthy of note in the half meaning that both teams went into break on level terms.
The second half was quiet and barren in terms of goals after the teams made several tweaks to their starting sides. There was so much action in the middle of the park than at the either ends and neither side created any threatening opportunity. The half was instead punctuated by frequent substitutions from both teams, forcing the contest to end all square.
Starting XI:
Fahad Emuran (G.K), Akram Massa (Gift Lubega Muhammad 56’), Emmanuel Obua, Richard Ayiko (Paul Wasswa 84’), Bashir Asiku, Ali Bayo (Abdul Kalanzi 56’), Rogers Adriko, Nelson Mandela, Moses Buga (Dennis Lubowa 56’ (Alvin Birungi 84’)) Sharif Saaka (Shafik Kiryowa 56’), Samuel Ssemugugu (Derrick Mwanje 84’).
Unused substitutes:
Juma Mutebi (G.K), George William Oluka (G.K), Solomon Akodi, Ian Amanya, Mubarak Mitala