Jinja SS beat Express to register first home win

PIC: Madondo headed in the only goal of the game. (Credit: Bruno Mugooda)

UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE

Joel Madondo's late goal against Express FC helped Jinja SS Kirinja to a first home win this season in the Premier League.

By scoring, the attacker also ended a run of four games without seeing the net.

Saturday's 1-0 victory at the Mighty Arena at Jinja Secondary School saw the hosts leapfrog Express into ninth place on the table.

Madondo pounced onto Isma Kawawulo's free-kick in the 82nd-minute on a slippery surface after a half-time drizzle.

Under-pressure Kirinya head coach Charles Ayiekho will have been relieved by the victory after previously seeing his side fail to muster a win at home.

The tactician admitted it has not been a smooth ride to a first three points on home turf.

"We had not won at home and my players played with a lot of pressure and many mistakes," he said after the game.

"But with their determination today, they will now play their next home matches with ease and results will definitely come.

"Now that Madondo has ended his four-game goal drought, which happens to any young player, I am sure he has realised the pressure he has to deliver for the team."

Ayiekho's opposite, Kefa Kisala, said his side were guilty of proligacy.

"Both teams created many chances but we were so wasteful today," he said when the game ended.

"We just need to be a little more clinical to bury chances. My strikers may be under a lot of pressure to deliver, but they need to be more composed in the coming league matches."

After 10 games, Kirinya are in 9th place on 14 points - one point ahead of 10th-placed Express.

Meanwhile, the rivalry at the top of the log continues, with KCCA at the summit on 24 points.

Vipers, who have played one game less, are in second on 24 points while Onduparaka are third on 20 points.

The battle against relegation involves Paidha Black Angels at the bottom on four points. Nyamityobora also have the same points but with a better goal difference while Ndejje University are 14th on seven points.