MATCH REPORT: BUL FC 0-1 URA
BUL’s unbeaten run at home in the league has been stopped by URA in a Uganda premier game at FUFA technical center in Njeru.
The Eastern Giants have been nearly invisible – winning eleven games out of fifteen (15) league matches at home before today, with the run stretching back to February 2022 when we lost to Vipers SC at Kyabazinga stadium.
But Ibrahim Dada scored the only goal in the game for the tax collectors as BUL lost on Saturday infront of our own fans to break the record.
It was arguably a game of two halves and with high intensity which saw the first half ending with the teams going in the break on level terms.
Despite enjoying plenty of possession in the early moments, URA failed to find a way past BUL goalkeeper Saidi Keni.
Their first chance arrived when Derrick Ndahiro appeared to have been tripped by Hillary Onek near the box with the referee awarding them a free kick which Joshua Lubwama managed to float into the area but Alfred Leku was flagged offside before he could pose any threat.
Midway the half, another chance fell to Leku when he beat Douglas Muganga to the ball after a fierce battle on the right side but an extra heavy touch by him was comfortably claimed by Keni before the lanky forward failed to anticipate James Begisa’s low cross moments later.
It took the Eastern Giants until the 18th minute to threaten URA’s goal area as Nafian Alionzi was forced to come off his line to parry away Onek’s cross, while Ibrahim Nsimbe’s yellow card on the stroke of half time was the only other highlight for Isabirye’s side.
BUL however emerged from the break fully charged, dominating proceedings while creating chances but it looked like they had forgotten their scoring boots in the dressing room.
After coach Alex Isabirye called the changes, introducing Emmanuel Kalyowa, Richard Okello, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Innocent Rwothomio and Paul Ssekulima, BUL contained the visitors in their own half for large spells of the second half only that hard luck befell them in the final minutes.
Okello and Kalyowa gave the team rythm while on the front foot as Onek and Obua pulled the strings from the wide areas.
It was not too long until Ibrahim Nsimbe thought he had finally put BUL infront on 51 minutes with a low drive from inside the box off Obua’s delivery but his effort was cancelled for offside.
The striker then hit the side net twice midway the second half while BUL’s penalty claims when the forward was floored inside the area disinterested the referee.
Ibrahim Kazindula rattled the bar from range as the Eastern Giants continued to look for a break through which was never to come.
URA meanwhile looked dangerous on the counter with the first warning coming when Keni was forced to spill infront of Saidi Kyeyune but the goalkeeper sprung up swiftly to reclaim the ball from the midfielder’s boots.
The tax collectors eventually bleached BUL’s defense five minutes from time through Ibrahim Dada who scored in an empty net as Keni was beaten following a fast break from Sam Timbe’s men.
This was the first defeat at home for Isabirye’s team in a period of twelve months since February last year.
Focus now turn to the Uganda cup replay with SC Villa the coming weekend at FUFA technical center.
Starting XI:
Saidi Keni (GK), Douglas Muganga, Walter Ochora, Richard Ayiko, Ibrahim Kazindula, Jerome Kirya, Hillary Onek, Richard Wandyaka, Emmanuel Obua, Ibrahim Nsimbe, Samuel Ssekamatte.
Tom Ikara (GK), Paul Ssekulima, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Emmanuel Kalyowa, Innocent Rwothomio, Richard Okello, Shafik Kwikiriza.
