UCU fight back to edge YMCA and top Group C

____________________

Pepsi University Football League

UCU 2 YMCA 1

Tuesday: Kumi v Victoria

Thursday: IUIU v Busitema

Friday: Kumi v Makerere

__________

Uganda Christian University (UCU) staged a thrilling comeback to defeat YMCA 2-1 on Monday at the UCU Sports Grounds in Mukono, climbing to the top of Group C in the Pepsi University Football League.

In what many hailed as the most entertaining match of the season so far, UCU fell behind early when Hakim Kanaabi capitalised on a throw-in from John Ndugu to fire YMCA ahead just three minutes into the game.

YMCA looked dominant in the opening 15 minutes, but UCU, spurred on by their passionate home supporters, drew level in the 27th minute when Harry Abiti headed in a pinpoint cross from Jordan Ariaka.

The equaliser rattled YMCA, and just three minutes later, Pablo Kiwanuka fouled Abiti in the box, conceding a penalty. Patrick Ogola stepped up and calmly converted to put UCU in front for the first time.

Both teams continued to create chances, with goalkeepers Peter Isabirye (YMCA) and Elton Mwidu (UCU) pulling off crucial saves to keep the game alive.

For UCU, Abiti and Peter Kyomuhendo were constant attacking threats, while YMCA’s Banton Kaganzi and Kanaabi kept the UCU defence under pressure.

The midfield battle was fiercely contested, with UCU’s Ivan Kisembo and Geoffrey Oyaka going head-to-head against YMCA’s Jessy Wasswa and Pablo Kiwanuka.

As the game entered its final 15 minutes, YMCA pushed hard for an equaliser, but UCU’s defence held firm to secure a vital victory and three crucial points.

Reflecting on the match, UCU’s Oyaka stressed the significance of the win, stating, "The coach told us that failing to win this game would mark the end of our season. We treated it like a final. Even after conceding early, we kept fighting, and I thank God that we secured the three points."

YMCA captain Kaganzi admitted that wasted chances proved costly. "We wasted so many opportunities. Failing to score made defeat inevitable, but we will learn from this and come back stronger," he said.

With this result, UCU, who started the match in third place, now lead the group with eight points, one ahead of SLAU and Kabale, who both have seven. YMCA remain bottom with five points and have been mathematically eliminated from contention.

Only the group winner will advance to the quarterfinals. The final round of matches will see SLAU host UCU in Kavule, Mpigi, while YMCA take on Kabale in Buwambo.