MATCH REPORT: BUL FC 1-1 BLACKS POWER
MATCH REPORT: BUL FC 1-1 BLACKS POWER
BUL fought back from a goal down to earn a point against Blacks Power in a Uganda premier league encounter at FUFA technical center in Njeru.
The visitors scored on the run of play to take the lead through Dickens Okwir but Samuel Ssekamatte cut their joy short with a close-range finish on his debut to even the game for the Eastern Giants before the break.
Two BUL junior team players – Innocent Rwothomio and Richard Okello were also handed their first competitive caps at the senior team in the one all draw on Friday.
It was not the best start to the game from Alex Isabirye’s men and they only spark into life after falling behind.
Reagan Kalyowa however did well to float the ball into the box just after five minutes but Ssekamatte’s first-time low shot was easily collected by Emmanuel Odong in the visitor’s goal.
Blacks Power remained strategic with their patient approach to game and it didn’t take them too long to break the deadlock.
On the 17th minute, they drew the crowd silent when they grabbed the lead following a fast break.
Ali Mukiibi schemed the move through the middle with his well threaded pass finding Okwir on the run from the left channel and the experienced forward took a few touches before unleashing a carpet sweeping shot to beat Tom Ikara in our goal.
BUL didn’t let that goal phase them however, and they rose to the stage with a good share of the ball possession.
They knocked the ball around, sniffing at the visitor’s area quite often and they had one of the attacks end with Jerome Kirya slightly shooting over the bar.
The Eastern Giants felt they should have equalized on the half hour mark when a BUL player was hacked down in the box but the referee ignored their penalty appeals.
Moments later, BUL went close again and their efforts were this time rewarded with a well-deserved equalizer.
Douglas Muganga made ground down the right and his line breaking pass was met by a sliding Ssekamatte who curled beyond Emmanuel Odong’s reach to score for the Eastern Giants from close range on the 37th minute.
BUL looked more dangerous and determined after the break following the introduction of Richard Wandyaka, Rwothomio and Shafik Kwikiriza.
It was a period that BUL really dominated but to no avail, Wandyaka came closest when he made a front run and shot from inside the box but Blacks Power cleared their lines before any further danger.
Scramble at their goal ensued again, however, Otti’s header was not on target. Rwothomio was involved in another good build up on a frustrating evening when his clever through pass set Ssekamatte free in the box but the ball was cleared into the corner before he swung his boot.
Despite all the pressure from BUL, Blacks Power stood firm with descent and disciplined defending and scrapped a point to go home with.
We remained second on the table with 28 points and our focus now turn to SC Villa who we play at the round of 32 in the Uganda cup next week before visiting UPDF in the league on February 21st
Starting XI:
Tom Ikara (GK), Aggrey Madoi (Ivan Wani 83′), Ronald Otti, Douglas Muganga (Richard Okello 90+), Pascal Ngobi, Jerome Kirya (Shafik Kwikiriza 83′), Ibrahim Mugulusi (Richard Wandyaka 56′), Reagan Kalyowa, Hillary Onek, Martin Aprem (Innocent Rwothomio 56′), Samuel Ssekamatte.
Unused Substitute:
Saidi Keni (GK), George Kasonko.