Saints beat URA to secure first win of season

By Vision reporter

The Saints FC got their first win of the season after narrowly seeing off URA FC in the Azam Premier League on Saturday, thanks to an own goal.

Coach George Best Nsimbe’s side are still lingering in the relegation zone, but a win over fellow struggling side URA will rejuvenate their belief – with seven games already played.

The Mukono-based outfit have endured a difficult start to life in top-flight football, having lost four and drawn two of their early games.

But if their latest performance is anything to go by, The Saints are up for a climb.

They faced a side equally troubled by a scarcity of winning performances. URA has gone five successive games without a win, and their woes worsened when Jimmy Kulaba scored in the wrong net. The club eventually sacked head coach Moses Basena.

Kulaba’s own goal was the work of opponent Vianney Sekajugo’s cross that caused a scramble in the URA’s box in the second half after a drab first half.

Earlier, striker Fred Kyambadde once had a glorious chance to the visitors in front, but his reacted poorly when left with only the goalkeeper to beat.

He fluffed another opportunity when his aerial effort went wide – and had him get injured three minutes to the break. His game was over and he was substituted by Alex Kitata.

The tax-collectors came close to scoring when Bob Kasozi’s headed effort from a corner kick was saved by Saints keeper Ivan Mutumba in the first half.

The hosts brought on Ali Moses Feni and Ochan Patrick after restart to try and spark the home side back to life. The sides returned from the break with an all-attacking mindset, intent on breaking the deadlock.

Both teams badly needed the three points, but it was The Saints that drew first blood courtesy of a defensive error by Kulaba.

Outside of that own-goal, Nsibe’s side created more chances than the home team, and he said that half-time helped his team regain their belief.

What next?

Saints will host SC Victoria University on Wednesday while URA make a trip to Jinja Municipal Council.