MATCH REPORT: BUL FC QUALIFY FOR SEMI FINALS

Ten man BUL football club booked a place in the semi finals of the Stanbic Uganda cup for the second season running.

Karim Ndugwa turned the game and Ibrahim Nsimbe settled it in extra time as the Eastern Giants battled from behind to roll 2-1 over SC Villa in the quarterfinals on Monday.

We were level 1-1 after the regular ninety minutes, and it required the extra thirty minutes to set the two teams apart.

The game looked like heading to spot kicks before Ibrahim Nsimbe scored a priceless winner on 115 minutes.

BUL fans were in strong voice at Fufa Technical Center as they cheered their team on every attack they made, and their faith was rewarded at the end of the game.

Alex Isabirye’s side had a lengthy spell of possession in the opening half and the hosts resorted to counter attacks.

Hillary Onek floated a sumptuous cross into the box inside two minutes but Gift Fred channeled it for a corner.

In just a while, SC Villa’s Sadam Masereka dribbled on the left and leaped our defense to force a save from Emmanuel Kalyowa on a quarter hour.

But that did not deter the Eastern Giants from dominating the proceedings, with Jerome Kirya in particular dictating the rhythm of the game with his silky passing.

However, it was the Jogoos who took the lead through Benson Muhindo on 16 minutes.

Kalyowa blocked Masereka’s efforts but the ball did not travel far and the pacy winger latched onto a loose ball in the box to smash in the opener.

Despite going 1-0 down, BUL were not discouraged, and with Just four minutes after half an hour, Ndugwa restored parity for the Eastern Giants.

A strong George Kasonko pass needed a brash from Martin Aprem for the forward to head past Martin Ssenkooto in SC Villa’s goal.

The major highlight in the second half was Kasonko’s red card on 69 minutes but chances were indeed few. Kasonko was sent off by referee Opio Deogracious for a second bookable offense following a foul on Masereka.

Meanwhile BUL had a chance to wrap up the game with in the ninety minutes with only 17 minutes left on the clock.

Ndugwa and Kirya exchanged between themselves and the latter found Nsimbe whose efforts missed to the left and the referee called for extra time.

In a clever burst through the centre of the pitch five minutes to the end of the extra time, Ibrahim Mugulusi weaved his way through a crowd of the Jogoos in a tight space with some quick feet, before sliding the ball right to Umar Mukobe who delivered a sublime cross into the box for Nsimbe to node home after beating two defenders to the ball.

The goal proved to be the match winner and it sealed BUL FC’s spot in the last four.

Starting XI:

Emmanuel Kalyowa, Douglas Muganga, Hillary Onek (Umar Mukobe 105′), Walter Ochora, Richard Ayiko, George Kasonko, Jerome Kirya (Lawrence Kasadha), Richard Wandyaka, Martin Aprem (Ibrahim Mugulusi 106′), Karim Ndugwa (Ibrahim Kazindula 86′), Ivan Wani (Ibrahim Nsimbe 46′).

Unused Substitutes:

John Okurut, Owen Mukisa