Overview:
Ronald Ssekiganda and Hakim Kiwanuka’s goals in either half secured Villa all three points for the Jogoos to bounce back from a Matchday Two 1-0 defeat to newly promoted Mbale Heroes.
StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Thursday, September 26, 2024 Results
SC Villa 2-1 BUL
Lugazi 0-0 Vipers SC
Champions SC Villa moved second on the StarTimes Uganda Premier League table after a 2-1 victory over BUL at Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Thursday.
Villa’s return to winning ways happened on the same day Vipers SC fired blanks in the goalless draw away to league newcomers Lugazi.
Skipper Ronald Ssekiganda and Hakim Kiwanuka’s goals in either half secured Villa all three points for the Jogoos to bounce back from a Matchday Two 1-0 defeat to newly promoted Mbale Heroes.
Dickson Mataama scored BUL’s consolation on 64 minutes as last season’s flying starters lost their first in three matches.
Coach Morley Byekwaso’s Villa now have six points, three behind pacesetters NEC both having played three matches apiece.
On their part, BUL – who finished second behind Villa last season, have only two points to show from their three opening games. Coach Abbey Kikomeko’s side lie 12th on a 16-team table.
Against Villa at Wankulukuku, BUL were second best all evening, with Kiwanuka probing them the most.
It was not long before Villa’s pressure paid off, Kiwanuka charging down the right before crossing for Ssekiganda to head in an 18th minute lead.
Another Villa onslaught down the left produced the second goal just three minutes into the second half when Kiwanuka acrobatically volleyed home after BUL failed to clear their lines.
Mataama reduced the deficit for BUL in the 64th minute but Villa held on for all three points.
Vipers struggles & Lugazi’s first point
Elsewhere, Vipers’ half-hearted start to the season continued in a goalless draw away to Lugazi in Najjembe.
A defeat, win and draw is surely not what Vipers’ Serbian coach Nikola Kavazovic envisaged before the start of the campaign.
The Venoms lie fourth on as many points, while Lugazi’s first point in their maiden top-flight season is the only positive from the opening three games. They remain at the bottom of the table. Matchday Three continues on Friday.