Blacks Power maintain perfect start as Maroons claim first win

UPL Wednesday results

Blacks Power 1-0 Police

Ntugasaze 1-3 Maroons

Blacks Power maintained their perfect start to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Police, while 10-man Maroons opened their account with a 3-1 win against newly promoted Ntugasaze on Wednesday.

At Hoima City Stadium, Emmanuel Janan Oketch scored the only goal as Blacks Power followed up their opening-day victory over Ntugasaze with another clean-sheet win.

The result keeps Blacks Power among the early leaders after two matches, with the side again showing its ability to grind out results.

In the other fixture, Maroons produced a strong attacking display at Kira Road Police Arena to see off Ntugasaze and claim their first three points of the campaign.

Jackson Nunda was the standout performer, scoring twice in the first half to put Maroons firmly in control.

The former KCCA and URA midfielder opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a deft flick from a corner before doubling the advantage nine minutes before half-time with a header from an Edward Kabona delivery.

Nunda, operating as one of two attacking midfielders alongside Abel Eturude, continued to cause problems and won a penalty after being brought down in the box by Apollo Kagogwe. Marvin Oshaba converted from the spot to make it 3-0.

Ntugasaze improved after the break and pulled one back through Ronald Kaye, who later forced substitute goalkeeper Derrick Were into a sharp save as the hosts threatened to reduce the deficit further.

Maroons were also reduced to 10 men for the final half-hour when Kabona was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity as the last defender.

They nevertheless held on for a deserved victory, recovering from their 2-1 defeat to URA on Sunday to register their first three points of the season.