2024-2025 Uganda Premier League (UPL):
Match Day 17 (Saturday, 15th February 2025 Results):
- URA 1-0 Maroons
- Sports Club Villa 1-0 Express
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) football club returned to their running touch with a slim 1-0 home victory over Maroons at the Hamz Stadium in the 2024-2025 Uganda Premier League (match no.135) on Sunday evening.
Moses Aliro Okabo’s first half deft diving header was the all-important goal during the flood-lit game in the heart of Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
URA had a couple of days ago lost 0-2 to Vipers at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
The home side had a solid impressive start when defender Joseph Bright Vuni nearly found the back the net but his volley missed target by inches after a corner kick under two minutes.
Another URA defender Faizo Matovu also had a powerful header off target after Okabo’s inviting corner kick on the quarter hour mark.
It was URA again on 23 minutes when their lead forward Ivan “The Hunter” Ahimbisibwe missed from close range after shooting direct at Maroons goalkeeper Simon Tamale.
Okabo headed out Vuni cross from the right flank in the 27th minute but three minutes later connected home with a diving effort following an inviting cross from the left by Nyarwa Bitanywaine Olimi.
Maroons’ major threat was the free-dribbling midfielder Ivan Asaba who posed all sorts of provocations and questions to the opposition.
At one moment, Asaba was fouled by John Innocent Kisolo but the resultant free-kick by Felix Okot free-kick hit the head of URA captain Enock Walusimbi who needed some minutes of medication before play resumed.
Olimi had the final contribution to his team with a shot on target well tamed by goalkeeper Tamale as the tax collectors led 1-0 by the break.
Upon resumption of the final 45 minutes, URA introduced dreadlocked forward Bruno Junior Bunyaga for Olimi and Maroons pushed on the stylish left footed Jackkson Nunda for a silent Abel Michael Eturude.
Asabal continued to threat the URA backline with directness, speed and trickery.
On the hour mark, Maroons called for their second change; Raymond Walugembe replacing Godwin Daniel KItagenda.
Moments later, substitute Bunyaga steps up Ibrahim Wammanah who shot off target
Maroons third change arrived with 17 minutes to play when an injured Ashaba was replaced by another Ivan entity; in Mayanja.
The visitors meanwhile; remained the busier party with efforts to equalize the game.
Under the final 10 minutes, URA made a double substitution.
Joseph Ssemujju and Abraham Tusubira were introduced for Ivan Ahibisimbwe and the hard working Norman Namanya respectively.
URA goalkeeper Rogers Omedwa had a fingertip to save a shot from Mayanja in the closing moments of the game before a late-late change witnessed George Masembe taking over from a lively Okabo.
The hosts held on for the victory that pushes them to fourth on the 16-team log with 27 points off 17 matches.
Maroons suffered their 6th defeat in 17 matches, leaving them 8th with 23 points.
Meanwhile, the Kampala Derby between Sports Club Villa and Express at the Luzira prisons stadium was won by the Jogoos 1-0.
Patrick Jonah Kakande scored SC Villa’s only goal to avenge their first round loss to the Red Eagles.
The league continues on Sunday, 16th February 2025 when table leaders Vipers visit KCCA at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo.
Second placed NEC will visit Police at Kavumba Recreational Stadium, Wakiso.
Team Line Ups:
URA XI: Rogers Omedwa (GK), James Penz Begisa, Faizo Matovu, Bright Joseph Vvuni, Enock Walusimbi, Norman Namanya, Ibrahim Wamannah, Moses Okabo Aliro, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Nyarwa Bitanywaine Olimi, John Innocent Kisolo
Changes:
46’ Bruno Junior Bunyaga ON, Nyarwa Bitanywaine Olimi OUT – URA change
80’ Joseph Ssemujju ON, Ivan Ahibisimbwe OUT
80’ Abraham Kakensa Tusubira ON, Norman Namanya OUT
90’ George Masembe ON, Moses Aliro Okabo OUT
Subs Not Used: Denis Otim (G.K), Nicholas Kabonge, Amisi Bwangani, Joseph Ssemujju, Justine Opiro, Laban Tibiita
Head coach: Alex Isabirye
Maroons XI: Simon Tamale (G.K), Ronald Orombi, Edward Kabona, Felix Okot, Baden Ogama, Boris Onegi, Rogers Kiwanuka, Abel Michael Eturude, Gordon Daniel Kitegenyi, Derrick Basoga, Ivan Asaba
Changes:
46’ Jackson Nunda ON, Abel Michael Eturude OUT
61’ Raymond Walugembe ON, Godwin Daniel Kitagenda OUT
73’ Ivan Mayanja ON, Ivan Ashaba OUT
Subs Not Used: Fredrick KIgozi, Apollo Kagoogwa, Norman Odipio, Bashir Mutanda, Brian Nkuubi Ssemuakula, Innocent Biyinka, Brian Junior Omirambe
Head coach: Muhammed Ssenfuma
Match officials:
- Center Referee: Felix Nuwagaba
- Assistant Referee 1: Samuel Mbabali
- Assistant Referee 2: Junior Hakim Lubwama
- Fourth Official: Joseph Masembe
- General Match coordinator: Daniel Yenka
- Referee Assessor: David Owula
The post URA returns to winning ways with slim home victory over Maroons | 2024-2025 UPL appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
