Match Day 28’s seven matches delivered more than the ordinary in the Azam Uganda Premier League last Tuesday.
It is the day when KCCA retained their title after hitting the 60-point mark with a 2-0 win over Lweza at the Phillip Omondi Stadium in Lugogo. Striker Derrick Nsibambi won two identical penalties which were converted by Tom Masiko and substitute Geoffrey Sserunkuma, the latter taking his season tally to 20 goals. Notwithstanding the Express-Proline tie which did not end in Wankulukuku, a total 25 goals were scored across the different matches. And if memory serves well, that is the highest scoring Match Day this season. Five goals were shared between Vipers and Onduparaka as the hosts won 4-1 at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende. “None of us was pleased with the result but I think we were a team that tried,” Onduparaka coach Livingstone Mbabazi told the club website.It turned out to be sweet revenge for Vipers who lost 1-0 to the Catterpillars when they visited Arua in November 15, 2016. Then, Muhammad Shaban struck after 67 minutes for the winner as Onduparaka sealed a first-round rout of the bigwigs including SC Villa and KCCA at the Betway Green Light Stadium. Shaban has been stuck at 12 goals for quite a while ever since he scored the winner against Lweza at home last month. The teenage forward will hope to rekindle the fire and give smiles to the crowd when Onduparaka hosts Saints in their last home match of the season.
Onduparaka is currently fifth, a point ahead of Express and an eighth league win in Arua surely embeds them firmly among the top quintet. “I don’t know. We have 41 points, so let’s focus on making that 44 on Tuesday,” Mbabazi said. “I believe so much in every player and I have enjoyed the surprise at every game.” “I have seen teams below come here and give us their best. This being our last home game, we would love to give the fans something to celebrate.” added the former Bright Stars and Somalia manager. Saints won their home match in Bombo, beating Soana 2-0 with goals from Godfrey Wakaza and Sulaiman Kibirige. The army side has 33 points and is five clear of relegation in ninth place with two matches left.
FIXTURES
TUESDAY, MAY 16
4pm: SC Villa vs. Vipers, Masaka (Live on Azam TV)
4:30pm: Lweza vs. Kirinya Jinja SSS, Wankulukuku
4:30pm: JMC Hippos vs. Police, Kakindu
4:30pm: Sadolin Paints vs. Express, Namboole
4:30pm: URA vs. Bright Stars, Lugazi
4:30pm: Onduparaka vs. The Saints, Arua
4:30pm: Soana vs. BUL, Kavumba
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17
4pm: Proline vs. KCCA, Lugogo (Live on Azam TV)
MATCH DAY 28 RESULTS
KCCA 2-0 Lweza
Vipers 4-1 Onduparaka
Police 1-3 URA
Kirinya-Jinja SS 4-0 JMC Hippos
BUL 4-2 Sadolin
Saints 2-0 Soana
Express 0-2 Proline* (Did not end, points awarded to Proline)
Darren is a scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and, also a sports presenter with NBS Television and Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune