Kavuma shines as Nkumba thrash Soroti in record home win

Pepsi University Football League 
Group C
Results
Nkumba 6 Soroti 0
Kyambogo 0 YMCA 
Friday 
ISBAT v Busitema, 3pm

Nkumba University continued their fine form in the Pepsi University Football League (UFL) with a resounding 6-0 victory over debutants Soroti University on Thursday at the Nkumba Main Pitch in Entebbe.

The Beach Boys dominated proceedings from start to finish, recording their second consecutive home win in style.

In-form striker Abbey Kavuma opened the scoring in the 15th minute, tapping home a precise cross from skipper Ismail Lubega to send the home fans into jubilation. Nkumba maintained the pressure through Solomon Bwiruka and Saadi Mukiibi, but Soroti goalkeeper David Osaka pulled off several saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

However, Osaka’s resistance was broken in the 30th minute when he parried a fierce shot from Kavuma, only for Bwiruka to smash in the rebound for Nkumba’s second. Five minutes later, Lubega curled in a superb left-footed free kick to make it 3-0 before Kavuma grabbed his second goal in the 37th minute, extending the lead to 4-0 by halftime.

The hosts picked up where they left off after the break, continuing to torment Soroti’s backline. In the 48th minute, Joel Opiro was brought down in the box by Soroti captain Elly Ekwanu, earning Nkumba a penalty. Kavuma, chasing a hat-trick, saw his effort saved by Osaka, one of the few bright moments for Soroti.

Buoyed by the penalty save, Soroti enjoyed a short spell of possession and even forced Nkumba goalkeeper Ronald Kazibwe into a fine save from Oscar Ssentamu’s long-range strike.

In the 68th minute, Kavuma was replaced by Marvin Kagimu, who quickly made an impact. Seven minutes later, Kagimu won and converted a penalty to make it 5-0.

Nkumba’s relentless pressure paid off again in the 81st minute when Nasser Mwebe fired home from distance to complete the 6-0 victory, Nkumba’s biggest win at home since 2013 when they beat Uganda Martyrs University (UMU)13-0.

The victory was slightly marred deep into stoppage time when John Okanya was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Ezekiel Anyama.

Nkumba’s triumph lifted them to second place in Group C with six points, one behind leaders Kyambogo University (seven points). The two sides are set to clash in their next fixture in a top-of-the-table encounter.

Nkumba head coach Sulaiman Bbosa praised his side’s clinical finishing and reaffirmed his ambition to top the group.

“It has been an excellent performance. In our last home game against ISBAT, we missed many chances, but today the players were clinical. Our mission is to finish top and qualify directly for the quarterfinals,” Bbosa said.

Bbosa, who guided Nkumba to their first UFL title in 2023, is aiming to reclaim the crown after last season’s quarterfinal exit at the hands of eventual champions UMU. 

Soroti captain Elly Ekwanu remained positive despite the heavy defeat.

“The result is tough, but we are not discouraged. We are still learning as a new team in this competition. We will correct our mistakes and come back stronger in our next games,” he said.

Soroti sit fourth in the six-team group with four points from three games. ISBAT University remain bottom without a point ahead of their clash with Busitema University on Friday at Lugogo.