Uganda Premier League 2024-2025 (Match Day 3):
Wednesday, 26th September 2024 Results:
SC Villa 2-1 BUL
Lugazi 0-0 Vipers
Sports Club Villa recorded a hard-fought 2-1 home win over BUL on match day 3 of the 2024/25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League during the Muteesa II Wankulukuku stadium, Kabowa on Wednesday, 26th September 2024.
Skipper Ronald Ssekiganda led the Jogoos by example with the opening goal before Hakim Ssemakula added the second as the second half restarted.
Dickson Mataama pulled back a goal for the visitors to create a worth tense finish to the game also watched by the current Uganda Cranes head coach Joseph Paul Put and his predecessor Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic.
BUL captain George Kasonko wth Missi Diego Ssemugera (right) | Credit: John Batanudde
Current Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put with immediate past head coach Micho at Wankulukuku Stadium | Credit: John Batanudde
Recovering from a 0-1 loss to league newcomers Mbale Heroes on match day two, SC Villa needed this exact result with a comeback victory before their home fans.
The Jogoos had a vibrant start to the game with Kiwanuka shooting wide. SC Villa forward Francis Onakalit quickly recovered from a knock to gallantly solider on.
BUL forward Matama registered a shot off target with the visitors’ first threat at the opposition goal.
On 7 minutes, Missi Diego Ssemugera executed a diagonal pass to the right flank that found Hakim Kiwanuka.
Kiwanuka drove in well but his laid ball in the area cut across for a BUL throw-in
SC Villa against BUL at Mutesa II Wankulukuku Stadium | Credit: John Batanudde
The Jogoos remained soul searching tempting BUL goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa to come off the line to thwart a move after 12 minutes.
Kiwanuka assisted Ronald Ssekiganda as the former headed home past goalkeeper Mutakubwa in the 17th minute to light up the game.
The 18-time league winners garnered more confidence with Kakande’s fancy step-over footwork exciting the SC Villa fans in the stands before the diminutive playmaker back-heeled to Aslam Ssemakula for a cross delivery on the left flank.
Kakande won SC Villa a corner kick after a lung-bursting run in the 27th minute.
On the half hour mark, BUL midfielder Jeromy Kirya (BUL) shot off target from 30 yards.
Kakande reacted quicker to foil a BUL free-kick involving Kirya and Nicholas Mweere with the resulting counter attack earning the Jogoos a corner kick that Francis Onakalit dived to head wide.
It was Onekalit again, curling over from 20 yards with a dipping shot in the 38th minute.
SC Villa midfielder Ssemugera became the first player to be cautioned by referee Nasser Muhammed Kirya for a malicious foul to Jeromy Kirya as the opening half ended 1-0.
BUL introduced forward Lawrence “Enzo” Tezikya for Hillary Onek as the second half kicked off.
Three minutes later, Isaac Mpagi Kajubi replaced Elvis Ngonde in SC Villa’s first change.
The Jogoos were celebrating once again in the 49th minute after a deft over-head volleyed goal after being set up by Ssekiganda’s header.
Hakim Kiwanuka celebrates SC Villa’s second goal | Credit: John Batanudde
BUL swiftly reacted and Tezikya headed over a cross by Fesali Najib on the right flank in the 53rd minute.
On the hour mark, BUL defence recovered well on time to tame an attack from Kiwanuka on the right flank.
Six minutes ahead, Kakande shot towards the goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa who saved but the rebound found Onekalit in off-side position.
BUL left back Mweere tested goalkeeper Wokorach from distance and the shot stopper saved.
In the 69th minute, BUL pulled back a goal through Dickson Mataama from close range.
With 20 minutes to play, BUL made three changes at once. Yafessi Mubiru, Ibrahim Mugulusi and Thomas Ochungu introduced for Nicholas Mwere, Dickson Mataama and the newly wedded Isaac Wagoina respectively.
SC Villa also instantly reacted with a triple change of their own. Tonny Atukunda replaced Diego Missi Ssemugera, Charles Lwanga was introduced for Onekalit and Reagan Mpande came on for Kiwanuka.
Lwanga had a miss inside the goal area with the goalkeeper Mutakubwa at his mercy.
SC Villa rested Kakande for Cyrus Kibande as the clock ticked away.
Goalie Wokorach got cautioned for deliberate time wasting antics as he hesitated to restart play from a goal kick.
As referee Kirya called for full-time, it was visible relief for the Jogoos were being endlessly attacked and disappointment for BUL who have not won since match day one.
BUL suffered their first defeat of the season, having played to a non scoring draw with Police on match day one and a 1-all home stalemate with KCCA on match day two.
SC Villa has now accumulated six points, after a comprehensive 4-1 win over Mbarara City on match day one before falling to Mbale Heroes 0-1 during the subsequent match day.
Elsewhere, Vipers was held to a non-scoring stalemate with newcomers Lugazi at the Lugazi stadium in Najjembe.
SC Villa XI Vs BUL | Credit: John Batanudde
Team Line Ups:
Sports Club Villa XI: Jeans Braddy Wokorach (G.K), Edward Masembe, Aslam Ssemakula, Arnold Odong, Ronald Ssekiganda (Captain), Elvis Ngonde, Missi Diego Semugera, Hakim Kiwanuka, David Owori, Patrick Jonah Kakande, Francis Onakalit
Subs: Norman Angufindru (G.K), Reagan Mpande, Simon Kato Ssemayange, Peter Onzima, Isaac Mpagi Kajubi, Charles Lwanga, Cyrus Kibande, Johnson Ssenyonga, Tonny Atukunda, Denis Kaka Omony, Andrew Otim, Najib Yiga
Head coach: Morley Byekwaso Ochama
BUL XI Vs SC Villa | Credit: John Batanudde
Bul XI: Joel Mutakubwa (G.K), Martin Aprem, Nicholas Mwere, Fesali Najib, Pascal Ngobi, Walter Ochora, Jeromy Kirya, Hillary Onek, George Kasonko (Captain), Dickson Mataama, Isaac Wagoina
Subs: John Okurut (G.K), Benson Tahomera, Bakali Magumda, Amos Kirya, Yafeesi Mubiru, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Thomas Ochungo, Lawrence Tezikya, Fredrick Ngalo, Reagan Kalyowa, Ramz Kawooya
Head coach: Abbey Bogere Kikomeko
SC Villa and BUL captains with match officials prior to kick off at Mutesa II Wankulukuku Stadium | Credit: John Batanudde
SC Villa Vs BUL Match officials:
Referee: Nasser Muhammed Kirya1st Assistant Referee: Brianson Musisi2nd Assistant Referee: Ivan LubwamaFourth official: John Baptist TumuhaiseMatch commissioner: Jerome Raymond KatendeReferee assessor: Ali Tomusange Mulumba
The post SC Villa recovers from Mbale slip to edge BUL | Uganda Premier League 2024-2025 appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
