Red hot Obua sinks police
Sep 18, 2003
DAVID Obua provided Express with a desperately needed oasis of inspiration as the Red Eagles romped to a record-shattering eighth Kakungulu Cup at Nakivubo yesterday.
By Joseph Opio
Express 3 Police 1
DAVID Obua provided Express with a desperately needed oasis of inspiration as the Red Eagles romped to a record-shattering eighth Kakungulu Cup at Nakivubo yesterday.
More famous for his repertoire of tricks than clinical finishing, the left winger, assisted in no small measure by fatal goal-keeping errors from David Mayombwe, wrecked Police’s quest for a maiden cup triumph with a perfectly-executed brace either side of half-time.
Paul Hasule’s charges started more vibrantly and condemned the Red Eagles to a sustained spell of pressure with a typically fluent passing game that had proved so effective against Villa in the semi-final.
With Alex Nduuga and Geoffrey Sserunkuma full of energetic running up front, Express’ defence, marshalled by the confident Bana Zidane and Israel Emuge, had to be fully focussed to keep the sides level.
Hassan Mubiru was also being his menacing self on the other end.
The deadlock was to prevail till the 22nd minute when Obua punished hesitant Police defending with a 15-yard pile-driver off Toto Songe’s corner-kick to give Express the lead going into recess.
Sserunkuma could have restored parity immediately from the restart after escaping the attention of his markers but Obua showcased his defensive side with a last-ditch tackle to keep Express’ advantage intact. That was soon erased when Emuge upended Sserunkuma just outside the area. The Red Eagles back-line was guilty of ball-watching as Juma Lubega rose to steer Sonny Serunjogi’s precise free-kick into the far corner.
With the game destined for a grandstand finish, it took Mayombwe’s elementary errors to effectively push it beyond Police’s reach.
Obua was the first beneficiary of the custodian’s lethargy when Mayombwe miscued a harmless through-ball, allowing him to register a heroic double by slotting into an unattended goal.
Mayombwe’s evening turned into a full-fledged nightmare in the 83rd minute when he spilled a hopeful Obua cross into Mubiru’s path.
The Express dangerman finished with aplomb, his third goal in three consecutive finals, to whip the red side of the terraces into a frenzy and decorate Wankulukuku’s already rich trophy cabinet with another piece of silverware.
Express’ post-match celebrations were however diluted by trigger-happy anti-riot policemen who fired onto jubilant fans as they tried to invade the Nakivubo pitch.
Express: P. Bujakera, J. Kaka, S. Wasswa, I. Emuge, B. Zidane, W. Bbosa, B. Matiyabo (F. Okello), F. Onyango (M. Mwambo), T. Songe, H. Mubiru, D. Obua.
Police: D. Mayombwe, S. Masaba, N. Kateregga, D. Iga, A. Kayaa, D. Mubiru, A. Nduuga (J. Katende) , J. Lubega, G. Sserunkuma, R. Ocii (S. Lwanga), S. Serunjogi (G. Lutalo)
Express 3 Police 1
DAVID Obua provided Express with a desperately needed oasis of inspiration as the Red Eagles romped to a record-shattering eighth Kakungulu Cup at Nakivubo yesterday.
More famous for his repertoire of tricks than clinical finishing, the left winger, assisted in no small measure by fatal goal-keeping errors from David Mayombwe, wrecked Police’s quest for a maiden cup triumph with a perfectly-executed brace either side of half-time.
Paul Hasule’s charges started more vibrantly and condemned the Red Eagles to a sustained spell of pressure with a typically fluent passing game that had proved so effective against Villa in the semi-final.
With Alex Nduuga and Geoffrey Sserunkuma full of energetic running up front, Express’ defence, marshalled by the confident Bana Zidane and Israel Emuge, had to be fully focussed to keep the sides level.
Hassan Mubiru was also being his menacing self on the other end.
The deadlock was to prevail till the 22nd minute when Obua punished hesitant Police defending with a 15-yard pile-driver off Toto Songe’s corner-kick to give Express the lead going into recess.
Sserunkuma could have restored parity immediately from the restart after escaping the attention of his markers but Obua showcased his defensive side with a last-ditch tackle to keep Express’ advantage intact. That was soon erased when Emuge upended Sserunkuma just outside the area. The Red Eagles back-line was guilty of ball-watching as Juma Lubega rose to steer Sonny Serunjogi’s precise free-kick into the far corner.
With the game destined for a grandstand finish, it took Mayombwe’s elementary errors to effectively push it beyond Police’s reach.
Obua was the first beneficiary of the custodian’s lethargy when Mayombwe miscued a harmless through-ball, allowing him to register a heroic double by slotting into an unattended goal.
Mayombwe’s evening turned into a full-fledged nightmare in the 83rd minute when he spilled a hopeful Obua cross into Mubiru’s path.
The Express dangerman finished with aplomb, his third goal in three consecutive finals, to whip the red side of the terraces into a frenzy and decorate Wankulukuku’s already rich trophy cabinet with another piece of silverware.
Express’ post-match celebrations were however diluted by trigger-happy anti-riot policemen who fired onto jubilant fans as they tried to invade the Nakivubo pitch.
Express: P. Bujakera, J. Kaka, S. Wasswa, I. Emuge, B. Zidane, W. Bbosa, B. Matiyabo (F. Okello), F. Onyango (M. Mwambo), T. Songe, H. Mubiru, D. Obua.
Police: D. Mayombwe, S. Masaba, N. Kateregga, D. Iga, A. Kayaa, D. Mubiru, A. Nduuga (J. Katende) , J. Lubega, G. Sserunkuma, R. Ocii (S. Lwanga), S. Serunjogi (G. Lutalo)