Super League title fight goes down to the wire

By James Bakama, M. Kivumbi, S. Kenyi, B. Mugooda and J. Senyimba

Bell Uganda Super League

Express 1 Bunamwaya 1

URA 1 Maroons 0

HBusia 1 Police 2

Utoda 1 KCC 2

Victors v F. Masters (n.p)

Goals could determine the winner when the Bell Uganda Super League goes into an explosive finish on Sunday.

With a three horse battle to determine the champion of the 43rd edition of the competition, URA FC with 51 points, leads the table by virtue of a superior goal difference (18) ahead of Express (17).

But the taxmen will have to negotiate a difficult final fixture against fellow title contenders Bunamwaya who, on 50 points are also in position in case they win Sunday’s encounter and the Red Eagles falter against BIDCO at Kakindu. Bunamwaya have a very favourable goal difference of 27 but only a win can take them close to their second title.

URA beat Maroons 10 in Lugazi yesterday, but it was was Express who celebrated most after a boardroom decision that disqualified Fire Masters played in their favour.

Fire Masters was kicked out for failing to honour three matches. The decision had Express making a net gain of points over their rivals URA and Bunamwaya who each lost a six point cushion after they had beaten the dismissed Kavumba based side.

Express, who had a draw and loss against Fire Masters, were as a result briefly catapulted into the lead, a position that only changed after URA beat Maroons.

USL also had Express and Water forfeit points against Simba and Proline respectively after they abandoned the matches.

Top scorer, URA’s Robert Ssentongo, stretched his tally to 16 goals with a 15 minute strike against Maroons.

At Wankulukuku Express dominated the first half but it was the visitors who scored first through a Kizito Luwagga goal in the 30th minute. The Red Eagles clawed their way back with a Julius Ogwang equaliser eight minutes after.

The match however briefly turned nasty as fans turned their rage on one of the referee’s assistant after he disallowed a Yayo Lutimba strike for offside. They hurled stoned onto the pitch and it took the intervention of coach Sam Ssimbwa to quell the rowdy supporters.

In Njeru, a goal in each half by midfielder Charles Masaba ensured Police FC beat HoimaBusia 21 in an entertaining match. The home side pulled one back in the 77minute through an Ayub Isiko penalty.