Hard nosed BUL picked up a vital point to remain top of the Uganda premier league pack following a one all draw at Gaddafi.
Ibrahim Kazindula’s first-half goal was cancelled out in the second half as we had to settle for a stalemate at Kakindu.
The midfielder scored his first goal of the season from the spot, sending Joel Mutakubwa in Gaddafi’s goal the wrong way to give us a deserved early lead.
The Eastern Giants failed to build on the advantage though, and the home side forced the game even through a Bakali Magumba goal after the break.
Isabirye’s men started well, playing with the confidence of a side coming into the fixture as a pace setter in the league.
And as early as the 12th minute, Emmanuel Obua swerved in a tempting cross from the left to force a hand ball from Shafik Bakaki, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Kazindula stepped up and powered a low shot past Mutakubwa, which was the club’s 11th league goal in five matches this season.
Moments later, the hosts missed a chance to equalize when Andrew Wasswa’s lob from a free kick was tipped over the bar by Emmanuel Kalyowa after Ronald Otti fouled Alex Kitata at the edge of the area.
BUL kept up the intensity and Kazindula’s shot clipped the post and slowly rolled out.
At the other end, Kitata and Johnson Odong continued to pose a threat, and a one move led to Kitata hitting the foot of the post before Kalyowa fumbled on it. While on the stroke of halftime, the goalkeeper denied Odong with a routine catch.
However, the second half did not produce any fruit, and Ronald Otti, Richard Ayiko as well as Walter Ochora had to deal with threats from set pieces.
Isabirye sent on Martin Aprem and Ibrahim Nsimbe in an attempt to inject a spark into the side but instead the home equalized.
Magumba hit a bouncing header from close range past Kalyowa to restore parity for his side one minute off the hour after a free kick situation.
They almost grabbed all the three points when Simon Sserunkuma had the goalkeeper at his mercy but he chose to guide his volley over the bar with eight minutes left on the clock.
Ochora had been sent off in the 69th minute for involvement in a fracas between players of the sides inside the box
Despite the result, BUL remained on top of the table with 11 points. They will next play again on second next month against Onduparaka at Fufa Technical Center.
Starting XI :
Emmanuel Kalyowa (G.K), Richard Ayiko, Ronald Otti, Walter Ochora, George Kasonko, Jerome Kirya, Richard Wandyaka, Karim Ndugwa, Frank Kalanda, Ibrahim Kazindula, Emmanuel Obua.
Substitutes:
Tom Ikara (GK), Ibrahim Nsimbe, Martin Aprem, Pascal Ngobi, Benon Tahomera, Owen Mukisa, Anthony Mayanja.