CRO, Bright Star gain promotion

By Joseph Wanzusi, Norman Katende and James Bakama

Big League

Rwenzori Group

Bright Stars 1 Wandegeya 0

Ngora 1 Rwenshama 1

Nkumba 3 B. Holdings 2

Soana 3 UTODA 1

Elgon Group

CRO 4 Soroti Garage 0

Jinja MC 1 Bugembe 0

M. Heroes  3 H. Busia 1

CRO and Bright Stars topped their groups yesterday to gain promotion to the FUFA Super League

For Mbale side CRO it was a sweet return to the top flight after being ejected in the 2009-2010 league for failure to meet super league regulations.

James Alitho got a brace while Muhammed Kasirye and Bosco Munyoro got a goal each as hosts CRO overwhelmed Soroti Garage at Manyonyi ground.

CRO had tied with the Soroti side at 29 points but CRO advanced on better goal difference.

At Kawanda Hassan Kikoyo struck two minutes to half time to give Bright Stars  Rwenzori Group’s direct qualification.

The play-offs to determine the third team that will advance to the top league will on April 25 have group runners-up taking on third finishers in each group.  Soana faces Mbale Heroes while Soroti Garage takes on Koboko.

The two winners will then meet to determine which team joins CRO and Bright Stars.

Wandegeya’s struggle for promotion yesterday had it bringing on Livingstone Mbabazi late in the game but the effort did not yield fruits.

CRO coach Mansoor Kintu appealed to the club’s management to recruit more players to strengthen the team’s stay in the top flight.