MATCH REPORT: BUL FC 0-0 BRIGHT STARS

BUL Football Club and Bright Stars played out a 0-0 draw at Kyabazinga Stadium on Friday afternoon. BUL FC had the most opportunities to score especially in the first half, with the Eastern Giants coming closest in the 39^th minute but Richard Wandyaka saw his penalty kick saved by goalkeeper Simon Tamale.

The Eastern Giants made a strong start to the game and in the second minute, Dickson Niwamanya pocked the ball through to Richard Ayiko and the defender whipped a cross into the box but Tamale was so quick to pick the ball before Musa Esenu could pose a threat.

Two minutes later, Ibrahim Kazindula played in Walter Ochora who launched a long pass down the right flank for Simon Peter Oketch to chase, however, the winger’s cross went far and wide.

 Niwamanya was the next to try his luck for the Eastern Giants, escaping the attention of Bright Stars’ backline, he controlled the ball with his chest on the edge of the box but he was flagged offside by the assistant referee.

In the 11^th minute, the visitors also found their way to the box, however, Joseph Janjali was caught offside as well.

After winning the free kick 30 yards from goal, Kazindula composed himself to take it in the 13^th minute, but unfortunately, his efforts sailed over the bar.

Andrew Kaggwa caught Ochora on the ball with just 24 minutes gone and he quickly set off for the box, but steady and alert, the BUL rearguards cleared far.

Two minutes later, Nelson Senkatuka exchanged with Janjali and the later picked out Kaggwa and then Kaggwa fired a shot but Keni palmed it away. The most clear chance arrived in the 39^th minute for BUL FC after Kazindula won a penalty. Richard Wandyaka was trusted to convert from the spot, however, `Tamale dived to the right side to spill his efforts, and BUL quickly won the ball back after the miss but Wandyaka tapped it twice and the visitors kicked it out for a corner.

On the stroke of halftime, Ochora floated a ball into the box again with Esenu the target man but he could not jump high enough to get on the end of it.

The second half started in a similar fashion as Hillary Onek lofted the ball to Wandyaka with the midfielder well positioned in the box, he controlled the ball with his left foot before shooting wide.

One minute to hour mark, Senkatuka rattled the bar with Keni already on the ground but our number one sprung up quickly to stop a rebound from the forward

Alex Isabirye decided changes were needed to force the issue as time ticked on. The coach introduced Ibrahim Mugulusi and Joseph Semujju in places of Niwamanya and Wandyaka respectively, and six minutes after the hour, Esenu also made way for Reagan Kalyowa.

The Eastern Giants had a late surge forward as an Ochora throw in was brushed by Derrick Ngoobi into the path of Oketch but he couldn’t get his shot on target.

Bright Stars carved a chance of their own late on with Ibrahim Kasindi shooting from distance but the ball agonizingly missed by inches.

Three minutes were added after the regular 90, however, the score remained goalless and a point for the Eastern Giants. This draw was enough to temporarily send us above Vipers SC and into second place with 21 points after 11 games. Our next league engagement will be away to UPDF on December 22,

BUL FC Starting XI:

Saidi Keni (G.K), Douglas Muganga, Richard Ayiko, Walter Ochora, Hillary Onek, George Kasonko, Ibrahim Kazindula, Richard Wandyaka, Musa Esenu, Dickson Niwamanya, Simon Peter Oketch.

Substitutes:

Emmanuel Kalyowa, Umar Mukobe, Fredson Gwoto, Reagan Kalyowa, Pascal Ngobi, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Joseph Semujju