Friday results
NEC 2-0 Mbarara City
Kitara 1-1 SC Villa
In-form forward Jonah Patrick Kakande scored late to rescue a point for SC Villa at Kitara and prevent the Masindi side from doing a StarTimes Uganda Premier League double over them on Friday.
The Jogoos were headed for another defeat following the first round 2-1 loss at Wankulukuku when Kakande exquisitely fashioned a goal almost from nowhere six minutes to full time.
After a persistent Villa attack, Pilsner Man of the Match – Kakande – gathered the ball just outside the 18-yard area, turned and dispatched it into the top roof corner of the net to rescue a point.
Earlier in the 58th minute, Kitara had given their home fans joy after yet another breathtaking goal.
The hosts went ahead after neat passing from Frank Tumwesigye, which set up Jude Ssemugabi on the left edge of the area.
Ssemugabi took a touch before unleashing a fierce shot, which was punched by the Villa goalkeeper into Brian Aheebwa’s path, the striker doing the rest for 1-0.
The point moved second-placed Kitara to 33, four behind leaders BUL, while Villa went three spots up to fourth on 30.
NEC double
Elsewhere, NEC completed a season double over Mbarara City, their 2-0 victory at the MTN Omondi Stadium on Friday adding to the campaign-opening 1-0 win in Western Uganda.
Joseph Dhata scored at the stroke of half time, thumping home from inside the penalty area after an initial cross from the left was knocked down.
Rashid Okocha then made it 2-0, the forward latching onto a delicate through ball from Pilsner Man of the Match, Gaddafi Wahab, to seal three points just four minutes into the second half.
NEC’s ninth victory in 17 matches moves them two places up fifth on 30 points, while Mbarara’s fifth loss keeps the Ankole Lions in 11th on 20.