Champions KCCA showed early intent of defending their crown after brushing off visiting Soana 2-0 at Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo to keep their 100% record after three games.The two sides played to an entertaining but goalless first half although the hosts had chances missed with Vincent Kayizzi and Paul Mucureezi the chief culprits.
The evenly matched contest became on side in the 63rd minute when Soana were reduced to 10-men by referee Denis Batte who sent off right back Misi Katende for blatant handball that denied Mucureezi’s goal bound effort from hitting the back of the net.
From the resultant penalty awarded, Joseph Ochaya, the league’s MVP missed but reacted faster than anyone to tap home the rebound off Didi Muhammad excellent save.
Five minutes later, Muzamiru Mutyaba, also last season’s award winner in the category of Best midfielder opened his season account with a goal that all but ended Soana’s hopes of snatching at least a point off the holders.
At this point, KCCA’s Mike Mutebi had already made changes replacing the ineffective Vincent Kayizzi and Brian Majwega with Derrick Nsibambi and Hakim Senkumba respectively.
For Sam Ssimbwa, who made his first return to Lugogo as a coach since his contract termination by the Kasasiro, the red card saw him bring on defender Timothy Musinguzi for forward but the latter introduction of Emmanuel Kalyowa for Willy Kavuma ignited the visitors who nearly gotten a consolation late in the game.
At Namboole, SC Villa registered a consecutive victory and kept a third clean sheet on the bounce with a slim 1-0 triumph over JMC Hippos.
Former JMC Hippos player Ambrose Kirya punished his former employees with the only goal of the game in the 57 minutes to keep the Jogoos just two points adrift of leaders KCCA.
Deo Sserwadda’s men are second with seven points after three games while James Odoch’s side now go bottom of the 16 team log.
At Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku, Rashid Toha salvaged a point for Onduparaka against Express in a game watched by a mammoth crowd.
The defender rose highest to nod home Rashid Agau free kick on the hour mark after John Semazzi had given the Red eagles a lead a minute after the break.
The stalemate earned the Caterpillars their first season point on the road while it was the second game in a row that ended 1-1 for Alex Gitta’s Express who are now five points behind leaders KCCA.
In Lugazi, Erisa Ssekisambu, fresh from unsuccessful trials in Lebanon came off the bench to score with four minutes to time as Vipers earned an important point away to URA.
The Tax Collectors had gotten a 72nd minute lead from debutant Bokota Labama Kamana who opened his account for Kefa Kisala’s side.
Vipers’ Abdallah Mubiru opted to rest Cranes internationals Ismail Watenga and Nicholas Wadada while Ssekisambu and Keziron Kizito came off the bench.
The stalemate takes Vipers’ point tally to five after three games while URA have now drawn all their three games this season.
Elsewhere, The Saints won their first game of the season with a shock 1-0 victory at Kakindu against Bul thanks to veteran Godfrey Wakaza goal which came as early as fifteen minutes while Hassan Kikoyo turned swords against his former bosses Bright Stars scoring the winner for Lweza at Champions Stadium, Mwelerwe.
Proline kept their draw record unscathed with a goalless one against Police at Kavumba while the Jinja derby between Kirinya Jinja SS and Sadolin Paints ended in a barren draw at Kyabazinga stadium, Bugembe.
League action continues on Friday with a single match at the Green Light Stadium as Onduparaka host KCCA before seven matches follow on Saturday in round four.
Tuesday September 6, 2016 Results
KCCA 2-0 Soana
SC Villa 1-0 JMC Hippos
URA 1-1 Vipers
Police 0-0 Proline
Express 1-1 Onduparaka
Bul 0-1 The Saints
Bright Stars 0-1 Lweza
Kirinya Jinja SS 0-0 Sadolin paints