Lugazi FC faced a disappointing setback in their pursuit of promotion to the Uganda Premier League, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat away to Onduparaka FC in their FUFA Big League meeting.
Bernard Ndifuna’s decisive strike in the 40th minute was enough to secure the three points for the hosts at the Green Light Stadium in Arua on Sunday.
The goal left a bitter feeling for Lugazi who strongly contested a foul in the build up to the goal.
The scorer Ndifuna was seemingly at fault for a challenge on goalkeeper Emuran Fahad who had the ball in his hands mid air, before the opponent rammed into him.
Consequently, Emuran dropped the ball into Ndifuna to poke home, which surprisingly the referee Tumusiime Gerald Tuge did not call for a foul.
With this victory, Onduparaka are now on a five-game winning run, while it was only the third defeat of the season in all competitions for the Leaders, whose last league defeat was against Mbale Heroes in November last year.
It was also just the first away league defeat for Lugazi in the league this season, which sees us fall into third place on 40 points, albeit with a game in hand.
The defeat underscores a troubling phase of inconsistency, particularly in the second half of the season.
Having managed only four points from their last five games, including one win, three draw, and a defeat.
Onduparaka meanwhile are two points behind Lugazi in fifth place with 38 points from 23 matches.
The stakes remain high for both teams as the promotion race catches on. Lugazi must regroup quickly as they prepare to host second-placed Kataka FC at home on May 5.
Meanwhile, Onduparaka is set to host Booma FC at the Greenlight Stadium on May 12th.