StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Kyetume FC 1-0 SC Villa
Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
Thursday, 29-08-2019
NAMBOOLE – SC Villa became the first side to lose in the StarTimes Uganda Premier league 2019/20 season as they lost 1-0 to Kyetume on Thursday night.
Cephas ‘Terzan’ Kambugu scored the only goal in the first half, neatly connecting with a well weighted Patrick Ochan cross.
The goal is Kyetume’s first ever in the top flight having secured promotion to the Uganda Premier League in May.
For Villa, it is their first loss on opening day in 7 years and it highlights what may turn out to be a difficult season for the Jogoos.
The game was scrappy at the start with either side, who both had just three substitutes at their disposal, consistently losing possession.
Kyetume had the first sniff on goal but Deo Iseijja shot wide from a promising position just outside the Villa area.
In what was their first clear opening, the newbies took the lead on 21 minutes.
After a good exchange around the Villa box, former Uganda Cranes midfielder Patrick Ochan sent an inviting cross into the area and it found its way to Kambugu who side-footed it into the bottom corner.
Kyetume were on the back foot for huge spells in the game but could have doubled their advantage at the stroke of halftime, only for Kambugu to fail to connect with a teasing Vicent Kayizi cross.
Villa dominate proceedings but nothing to show in the end
SC Villa are expected to have a long season after a trying preseason.
The Jogoos who did not make any high profile signings had three decent chances to equalize in the game played at Namboole but could not hit the target.
Debutant Amir Kakomo saw a looping header cleared off the line by Jonathan Mugabi in the first half, with Joel Mutakubya stranded.
Lwanga hit the frame of the goal after connecting with a Yayo Lutimba header at the stroke of halftime.
Late in the game, Bashir Mutanda who top scored for the Jogoos last season, headed wide of the target with the Kyetume defence in sixes and sevens.
Aside from those three chances, Villa struggled to cut-open the home side’s defence and resorted to speculative efforts.
Mutanda saw one sail over in the first half, minutes before Lutimba’s produced the same out come.
In the second half, both Ambrose Kirya and Asuman Alishe tried their luck from distance but the former shot over while the later had his comfortably saved by Mutakubya.
In the end, it was Kyetume smiling while Villa who spent most of last season close to the drop zone were left red-faced
What the coaches said after the game
Edward Kaziba, SC Villa
“We lucked composure at the start but we came back into the game and dominated it.
“We could not score in the end but it is our first game and took alot of lessons from it.”
George Best Nsimbe
“Thank God for enabling us to win.
“We were taking on a big side and thank God we have won.
“We had issues with the licenses that is why we had only three substitutes but hopefully we will have all the players available in our next game.”
Starting teams
SC Villa
Saidi Keni, Owori David, Yayo Lutimba, Asuman Harishe, Kiggundu Moses, Kakomo Amir, Kirya Ambrose, Kamanzi Denis, Mutanda Bashir, Kalyowa Emmanuel, Muhindo Benson
Kyetume
Joel Mutakubwa, Julius Ntambi, Samson Mutyaba, Benon Tahomera, Jonathan Mugabi, Isaac Kirabira, Deo Iseijja, Vincent Kayizi, Patrick Ochan, Robert Ssentongo, Cephas Kambugu
UPL upcoming fixtures
Friday, 30-08-2019
-URA FC vs Maroons FC @4pm
-Bright Stars vs Vipers SC @4:30pm
-Bul FC vs Express FC @4:30pm
-Onduparaka vs Police FC @4:30pm
Saturday, 31-08-2019
-KCCA FC vs Wakiso Giants @3pm
-Tooro United vs Busoga United @4pm
-Mbarara City vs Proline FC
