SC Villa, Kitara edge Friday thrillers

Friday, October 24, Results

Kitara 3-2 Mbarara City

SC Villa 2-1 Police

SC Villa and Kitara both picked up vital wins on Friday evening as the StarTimes Uganda Premier League served up end-to-end drama in Kampala and Hoima.

At the FUFA Technical Centre, Kadiba, record champions SC Villa ended a two-match winless run with a late 2-1 comeback victory over Police.

The result lifted the Jogoos to eighth place on four points, five behind early leaders Buhimba United Saints, while Police are three places above them with five points.

Police took the lead in the 22nd minute when Bedia Djuma Ikamba headed in a fine cross from Dennis Kalanzi after a lively start. 

But Villa turned the game around after halftime, inspired by a series of effective substitutions.

Second-half substitute Geofrey Gagganga levelled matters in the 70th minute with a composed finish before turning provider deep into stoppage time. 

His pass was swept home by fellow substitute Charles Lwanga in the 90+2 minute to seal all three points for the Jogoos.

Lwanga’s impact off the bench earned him the Man of the Match honour as Villa celebrated their first win in three outings.

Thriller in Hoima

Earlier at the Royals Park in Butema, Kitara edged Mbarara City 3-2 in a five-goal thriller decided by a last-gasp penalty from Wahab Gadafi.

The hosts stormed into an early two-goal lead through Isaac Amutuhaire (14’) and Jimmy Kalema (16’), before Innocent Wafula and Henry Kitegenyi brought Mbarara level. 

However, the visitors’ hopes faded after goalkeeper Emran Fahad was sent off just before the hour mark, forcing outfield substitute Stuart Kafuluma to take over in goal.

Kitara piled on the pressure and were rewarded in the 90+1 minute when Gadafi converted from the spot to hand his side their first win in three matches.

The result moved Kitara to 10th on four points, while Mbarara remained 13th with two.

League action continues on Saturday as Entebbe UPPC host NEC FC in the weekend’s only fixture.