Mbarara City kept their chances alive of surviving the relegation axe, after edging visiting Busoga United 1-0 in a Uganda Premier League game at Kakyeka Stadium.

In a game where Busoga United appeared to be gaining an upper hand both in speed and urgency, the hosts needed a rare goal from central defender Edward Namasa, to take home the much-needed three points.

It was Namasa’s first goal for his employers in two seasons as the defender keeps proving his worth with tasks assigned to him by the technical team led by Bbosa.

Wasswa Bbosa’s men had started the game on a slow pace as Busoga manned the midfield with command, but when Mbarara City made three raids with all resulting in corner kicks, Namasa made no mistake on a third attempt, as he slotted home after 32 minutes.

Busoga United could not recover on the restart, as Mbarara City returned in the second half a much-improved side, and could have added more misery to the visitors, if Josep Akandwanaho, Henry Kitegenyi, and second-half substitute Pius Wangi did not miss clearcut chances.

Kitegenyi saw his effort go off the crossbar, Akandwanaho pressed his shot wide while Wanji failed to tap in on the near post, all chances coming with Busoga's dense flat, and the goalkeeper was beaten.

The win takes Mbarara City to 10th position with 23 points in 18 games and 8 points above the drop zone while Busoga remains below the red line in 14th position with 15 points from 17 games.