MATCH REPORT: BUL FC 0-1 UPDF FC
The Eastern Giants suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to UPDF on a disappointing Tuesday evening at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
Hussein Hassan Zinda’s 73rd minute strike settled the game in the visitor’s favor, as well as halting the 11 game unbeaten run at home for BUL who still count only one win in their previous seven league games.
The result means the Eastern Giants have missed the opportunity to return to the top of the tree as they remained second with 39 points from 20 rounds.
Shortly after losing ground in the game, things went further south for BUL as substitute Gerald Ogweti was sent off following an off the ball clash with Samson Kasozi in the 77th minute, nearly five minutes after coming on for Ibrahim Orit.
But UPDF were also shown a red before the end of the game as Christopher Kamagu was deservedly sent off inside the six minutes of additional time after clashing with Benon Tahomera.
BUL began the game brightly and could have had the lead in the opening minutes of the game.
In the second minute, Hillary Onek’s cross found Ibrahim Orit in the box, but the midfielder couldn’t direct his header to the target.
Five minutes later, Alex Kitata tested Richard Anyama with a shot from close range but the UPDF goal keeper got down well to claim the ball.
Another tempting cross from the left was delivered into the box by Nicholas Mwere; however, there was no yellow shirt to connect with the effort.
The Army side’s first chance came in the tenth minute and Davis Ssekajja should have put UPDF ahead when he was gifted with possession inside the area with only Tom Ikara to beat, but the goalkeeper somehow punched his effort into the corner.
After the restart, BUL came close to finding the elusive goal. Hillary Onek whipped a cross into the box with Lawrence Tezikya flicking into the path of Kitata whose shot was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper in the 55th minute.
Kitata also saw his header glance wide off an Ibrahim Mugulusi delivery from a free kick before Rashid Faridi nearly broke the deadlock for the visitors in the 66th minute.
UPDF finally found the breakthrough in the 73rd minute when a long free kick was lofted into the box; it was initially cleared by Ronald Otti but not far. The ball was then sent back into the area, with the effort bouncing past Ikara and into the net, and the strike proved to be the match winner for the army team.
BUL committed more bodies infront as they looked for a way back into the game but it was not to be for the Eastern Giants, as they failed to beat UPDF’s defense in the closing stages of the game.
The Eastern Giants will next be in action this Friday against SC Villa at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
Starting XI:
Tom Ikara (GK), Hillary Onek, Nicholas Mwere (Benon Tahomera 57’), Ronald Otti, Walter Ochora, George Kasonko, Jerome Kirya (Lawrence Tezikya 54’), Ibrahim Orit (Gerald Ogweti 72’), Alex Kitata, Martin Aprem (Ibrahim Mugulusi 54’), Amos Kirya (Reagan Kalyowa 72’).
Unused substitutes:
Joel Mutakubwa, Mathew Odongo Tayo, Pascal Ngobi, Ibrahim Kazindula.