MATCH REPORT: ARUA HILL SC 2-2 BUL FC

BUL football club have drawn 2-2 with Arua Hill SC at Barifa stadium in a game that saw Karim Ndugwa score his first goal for the Eastern Giants in just three matches since his arrival in January.

Ndugwa’s strike arrived at just 16 minutes of play before it was cancelled out by Samuel Ssekamatte’s free kick. Gaddafi Wahab’s finish in the additional minutes swung the game to the Kongolos way before the break. But Simon Peter Oketch came off the bench to force a draw.

Both teams made a bright start to the game with Arua Hill SC getting two successive corners in the early stages of the contest but it was BUL FC that took the lead on16 minutes.

Martin Aprem’s shot was saved by Eric Kibowa in Arua Hill’s goal but he could not keep out Karim Ndugwa’s tap in off a loose ball in the box

In an early response, the hosts pressed for an equaliser.

Saidi Keni fumbled with the ball on 27 minutes following a hard shot from Gaddafi Wahab but our defense was awake to clear far before Samuel Ssekamatte thumped in a free kick from the edge of the box to equalise for the Leopards four minutes later

Arua Hill continued to recycle the ball around our area and on the stroke of halftime, their efforts paid off when Wahab scored to give them a 2-1 lead before the break.

The second period was a half of few chances and far in between on both ends.

On 51 minutes, Kibowa denied Richard Wandyaka to keep the scores at 2-1. Stephen Kabuye was then chanced to extend his side’s lead four minutes after the hour but he lacked the composure to slot past Saidi Keni.

Manager Alex Isabirye called the first change on 70 minutes. Ibrahim Nsimbe came on for Ibrahim Mugulusi to add fire power upfront and indeed the move paid off.

BUL looked rejuvenated and attacked with intent, caging the Leopards in their own den and on the 87th minute, Rashid Toha pulled Ndugwa in the forbidden area and the referee pointed to the spot.

Merely seconds after coming on in place of Pascal Ngobi, substitute Oketch scored the penalty to win a point for the Eastern Giants three minutes to the regular 90.

Isabirye’s side remains in fourth place on the table with 30 points after 18 matches.

Focus now returns to Uganda cup. The Eastern Giants will travel to the city center for a clash with neighbors – Busoga United on Friday February 25 at Kakindu stadium in the round of 32 of the competition before playing UPDF FC in the league on March 01.

Starting XI Vs Arua Hill SC

Saidi Keni
Richard Ayiko
Douglas Muganga
Aggrey Madoi
George Kasonko
Pascal Ngobi (Simon Peter Oketch 87′)
Ibrahim Mugulusi (Ibrahim Nsimbe 70′)
Umar Mukobe
Richard Wandyaka
Karim Ndugwa
Martin Aprem

Unused Substitutes

John Okurut
Lawrence Kasadha
Owen Mukisa
Reagan Kalyowa
Ibrahim Kazindula