KCCA strike twice in two minutes to rescue title hopes

Uganda Premier League

Results

UPDF 1 KCCA 2

Mbarara 1 Villa 3

Substitutes Emmanuel Anyama and Ettienne Katenga struck in the 87th and 89th minutes respectively as KCCA FC staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat UPDF FC 2-1 in Bombo yesterday and keep their Uganda Premier League (UPL) title hopes alive.

Trailing 1-0 with only three minutes left, the Kasasiro Boys looked destined for a defeat that would have effectively handed the title to leaders and reigning champions Vipers SC.

Instead, Anyama sparked life into KCCA’s title chase when he headed home from close range after a well-worked short corner. Left-back Herbert Achai delivered a teasing cross into the box, and the forward rose above the UPDF defence to beat goalkeeper Shamulan Kamya and restore parity.

Barely two minutes later, KCCA completed the turnaround in stunning fashion. Joel Sserunjogi whipped in a dangerous delivery from the right, but Kamya failed to deal with the ball, spilling it kindly into the path of Katenga.

The Angolan forward remained composed, controlling before slotting home in the 89th minute to snatch victory for the 13-time champions.

UPDF had looked set to claim all three points after Emmanuel Ochen put the hosts ahead in the 36th minute, punishing a KCCA defensive lapse to give the Army side the lead they protected for much of the contest.

KCCA’s late heroics mean the title race remains alive heading into the final two rounds of the season.

The victory lifts second-placed KCCA to 58 points, three behind Vipers, with both teams having now played 28 matches. Had KCCA failed to win, Vipers would have effectively sealed their eighth league title without playing.

The Venoms would have moved six points clear with just two matches left and, thanks to a superior head-to-head record over KCCA, would have been confirmed champions.

Instead, pressure now shifts back to Vipers, whose recent poor run has reopened the title race. Ivan Minnaert’s side are now winless in their last three matches after back-to-back draws, including Tuesday’s goalless stalemate against Police FC at Kira Road.

KCCA must now win their remaining matches, including a tricky away trip to URA at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, while also hoping Vipers drop more points away to stubborn Maroons at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

Elsewhere, SC Villa tightened their grip on third place with a 3-1 comeback victory over Mbarara City at Rwamwanja Stadium.

Charles Lwanga netted twice in the second half, while Andrew Otim added another after Clinton Kamugisha had given Mbarara an early advantage.

Villa moved to 55 points, one ahead of fourth-placed Kitara, who suffered a 3-2 defeat to Express on Tuesday.

UPL Table

Pos Club     P     W    D    L     F      A     GD   Pts

1    Vipers   28   17    10   1    50   17   +33   61

2   KCCA      28   18     4    6    42   21   +21   58