Draws dominate UPL match day one


The 2020/21 Startimes Uganda Premier League season finally kicked off as league football returned to Uganda for the first time since March.

Of the 16 top flight clubs, 14 were able to cut some sweat and fight for the first points on offer this season.

Only two clubs managed to collect maximum points as the rest shared points in the five draws.

Betway sponsored Express FC started their campaign with a tricky trip to West Nile and it ended in a 1-1 draw at the Green light stadium, home to Onduparaka.

Wasswa Bbosa's charges went ahead after Frank Kalanda converted a penalty in the first half.

The Red Eagles would later lose skipper Enock Walusimbi who was sent off for a deliberate handball on his debut for the club.

Kabon Livin dispatched the resultant handball to restore parity and get a point for Onduparaka.

Record Champions SC Villa also left Jinja with a point after an entertaining 2-2 against BUL FC.

Villa had Benson Muhindo sent off and went behind 2-1 but held on for a late equaliser from Nicholas Kabonge.

Police FC shared spoils with Wakiso Giants at Lugogo with the two sides squandering scoring opportunities as the game ended goalless.

Midfielder Tonny Mawejje was stretchered off at halftime after landing badly and hurting his ankle.

Newly promoted Kitara FC also got their season off with a point after drawing with Kyetume.

Sharif Saaka and Brian Mululi scored for Kyetume and Kitara respectively.

Mbarara City needed a late Jude Semugabi equaliser to get a point off URA FC.

New striker Bashir Mutanda missed a penalty in the first half before last season's top scorer Steven Mukwala put the visitors ahead at Kakyeka stadium in Mbarara.

Mukwala also missed a penalty and Semugabi rescued a point for the home side.

The only two wins of match day one came in favour of KCCA FC and newly promoted UPDF.

KCCA defeated Soltilo Bright Stars 2-1 at Kavumba Recreation Center with new acquisition Brian Ahebwa scoring one and assisting the other on his debut.

At Bombo Barracks, UPDF beat Busoga United 3-0 to ascend to the top of the table.

Brian Kayanja and Brian Kalumba scored the first two for UPDF before a Douglas Muganga own goal that compounded Busoga United's misery.

Only two teams, Vipers and MYDA, are yet to kick a ball in the new season after their tie was postponed.
 

Match day one results
 

Onduparaka 1-1 Express

UPF 3-0 Busoga United

Kyetume 1-1 Kitara

Bright Stars 1-2 KCCA

Police 0-0 Wakiso Giants

Mbarara City 1-1 URA

BUL 2-2 Villa
 

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The writer is a Freelance Sports Reporter based in Kampala, Uganda. Follow him on Twitter (@Emanzi20), Facebook (Ndyamuhaki J. Emanzi) and Instagram (@emanzi20).

Published: 12/08/2020