Advantage Cranes Select, Kitara

FUFA Super 8, Saturday, first leg results

Cranes Select 2-1 SC Villa

Kitara 1-0 KCCA

Uganda Cranes Select and national championship side, Kitara, get into their return legs of the FUFA Super 8 in the coming week with a fairer advantage after winning their respective first encounters on Saturday.

The Cranes Select edged StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions, SC Villa, 2-1 and Kitara beat hosts KCCA 1-0, with both matches being played at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, to have one foot into the semi finals.

Cranes Select had to come from behind to prevail over the Jogoos, with youngster Godfrey Ssekibengo scoring the winner late in the game to hand coach Sam Ssimbwa’s side the first leg victory over Villa.

Arnold Odong had given Villa a deserved lead in the 25th minute when he tapped in at the far post from a flicked ball following David Owori’s free kick.

However, the lead lasted just four minutes before referee George Olemu awarded a penalty to the Cranes Select team after Villa’s Edward Masembe was deemed to have fouled Isaac Ogwang. 

Ogwang picked himself up and equalised from the spot. Ssekibengo then made sure of full advantage with the winner late on. The two face off again in the return leg on Wednesday at the same venue. 

In the day’s other match, Denis Omedi scored the lone goal as Kitara beat KCCA 1-0 to go into Tuesday’s return leg in charge of proceedings.

The Ugandan international got the winner in the 26th minute after the Royals stole possession inside the KCCA half.