URA gear up for Orlando Pirates with win over SCVU

By Fred Kyambadde

URA FC boosted their confidence ahead of a crucial Caf Confederation Cup tie with a 2-0 win over Sports Club Victoria at Namboole Stadium on Tuesday.

Feni Ali scored for the visitors in the 33th minute before Dickson Kigongo sealed the win in the second half.

With that victory, URA allowed themselves in a proper mind frame for Saturday’s do-or-die second leg tie with visiting South African side Orlando Pirates.

The Buccaneers carry to Kampala a 2-1 lead from the first leg of the Cup’s first round in Orlando.

The South African side will hope to progress to the second round at the expense of a URA side whose win over SCVU buoyed their confidence ahead of the Caf game.

Despite suffering defeat against KCCA in the Uganda Cup last week, URA’s recovery was swift, taking the lead in the 33rd minute through an Ali finish.

The attacker dribbled three defenders before loading a rasping shot that ricocheted off the woodwork to slip into the back of the net.

It was his second goal in two games, having scored a consolation goal against KCCA in the Uganda Cup days before.

Coming from the break, it was a one-way route goal-wise when Kigongo added to the tally early into the second half.

He was on the receiving end of a dipping cross from the left which eluded a couple of defenders enough for him to tap home.

It was a blow to SCVU who had gone four matches without losing in all competition, and are lying in 10th place of the league. However, it was their ninth game in this campaign.

The hosts were denied a goal when Ryan Kiyini’s header floated over the crossbar.

The visitors were dominant from the time they scored their second goal until the final whistle, helped by closing out gaps and shutting the home side out especially in the final minutes.