Kalanda brace fires SLAU into UFL semifinals with dominant 3-0 win

Pepsi University Football League 

Quarter-final 
Wednesday Result 
Ndejje 0 SLAU 3, Agg (1-5)
Thursday at 4pm
YMCA v Kumi, Agg (1-1)

St Lawrence University (SLAU) produced a commanding performance to book their place in the semifinals of the Pepsi University Football League, thrashing Ndejje University 3-0 in the return leg at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo on Wednesday to seal a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Kavule, SLAU showed no signs of complacency and instead tightened their grip on the tie with a dominant display from start to finish.

Forward Julius Kalanda who started ahead of Sharafah Mukiibi set the tone with a well-taken brace.

He opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, rising highest to head home Collin Ssemanda’s corner. Two minutes into the second half, Kalanda struck again, capitalising on a goalkeeping error by Fred Ocen, who failed to deal with James Okello’s cross, allowing the forward to tap into an empty net.

Defender Ambrole Alele put the result beyond doubt in the 54th minute, reacting quickest to Ssemanda’s dangerous free-kick delivery after Ndejje’s defence failed to clear their lines.

Needing a win to stay in contention, Ndejje produced a disappointing performance that fell far short of the occasion. They struggled to impose themselves and rarely threatened SLAU goalkeeper Mohamed Kateete, who endured a largely uneventful afternoon.

SLAU dominated midfield through their captain Ronnie Ziraba and Derrick Munanira, while Okello and Ssemanda constantly stretched the opposition with dangerous deliveries from the flanks.

Ndejje’s hopes were further dented early in the second half when their top scorer (four goals) Joel Olupot limped off injured, leaving them without a recognised striker.

Davis Musinguzi, their scorer in the first leg, was also effectively contained as SLAU comfortably saw out the contest.

SLAU who are last season’s runners-up continue their pursuit of a maiden league title, having previously fallen short in three finals.

They join two-time champions Kampala University (KU) and Muteesa 1 Royal University among the confirmed semifinalists.

Attention now shifts to Thursday’s decisive quarterfinal clash, where YMCA Comprehensive Institute host Kumi University in Buwambo, Wakiso District. The tie remains finely balanced at 1-1, although YMCA carry a slight edge courtesy of the away goals rule.