📷 Bugema revive quarterfinal bid with win over Muteesa

Bugema University reignited their chances of qualifying for quarterfinal in the Pepsi University Football League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Muteesa 1 Royal University at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo yesterday.

The result tightened the race in Group B and handed Bugema a timely boost with just one game remaining.

Muteesa’s goalkeeper Joram Kayanja endured a difficult debut, with his errors proving costly for his side.

Bugema took the lead after Kayanja handled the ball outside his area, gifting the visitors a free kick in a dangerous position. Eric Sawa stepped up and curled home a superb effort to hand his side a deserved advantage.

Muteesa pushed hard for an equaliser, but their task became harder in the 76th minute. Kayanja brought down Joseph Male inside the area, prompting referee Ibrahim Miiro to point to the spot.

Substitute Owen Ssenyonga kept his composure to convert the penalty and double Bugema’s lead. Brian Rwothomio pulled one back for Muteesa in the 80th minute to set up a tense finale. 

The closing stages were dramatic, with Bugema players repeatedly going down under pressure, a tactic that frustrated the Muteesa bench and fans which resulted into bookings.

Both sides created opportunities in stoppage time, with Bugema nearly sealing the contest and Muteesa threatening an equaliser, but the visitors held firm to secure a crucial three points.

The win lifts Bugema to second place in Group B with eight points, just one behind leaders Muteesa, who remain on nine. Both teams have played four matches.

Muteesa head coach George William Ssengabi criticised the officiating after the match.

“I thank my players for the fight they put up today. We have lost our first game, but we played well,” Ssengabi said.

“I want to appeal to referees to improve their officiating. We lost, yes, but the referee allowed Bugema to get away with many things. I am not saying he had a side, but the game became too heavy on him.”

Meddy Nyanzi, the head coach of Bugema, expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience throughout the game.

“We knew what we wanted, a win and we have got it. I thank my players for withstanding the pressure. We didn’t play well, but we shall improve in the next games,” Nyanzi said.

Both teams now head into decisive final fixtures where Bugema will host Africa Renewal University, while Muteesa travel to Mbarara to face Bishop Stuart University.

As it stands, Muteesa top Group B with nine points, followed by Bugema on eight. Bishop Stuart are third with six points, Kabale University have two, while Africa Renewal and the International University of East Africa (IUEA) each have one point.

Apart from Bugema and Muteesa, who have played four matches, the rest of the teams have played three.

Only the five group winners will automatically qualify for the quarterfinals, joined by the three best third-placed teams.

Pepsi University Football League

Tuesday Result
Muteesa 1 Bugema 2
Wednesday 
Africa Renewal v IUEA
Thursday 
MUBS v Gulu
Friday
KIU v Unik
Saturday
Makerere v UCU