Friday, October 7
*Onduparaka 0-0 SC Villa – Bombo
Saturday, October 8
*Express Vs URA – Wankulukuku
*BUL Vs UPDF – Njeru
*Arua Hill Vs KCCA – Barifa
SC Villa managed to squeeze out a point away to Onduparaka in a league game played at a neutral venue – Bombo.
The game was not played in Arua, and behind closed doors, after a ban on Onduparaka following fans hooliganism in a league match against Arua Hill last season.
And Onduparaka lacked the drive and motivation from their fans to get the killer punch against a Villa side that barely threatened.
The Jogoos needed two heroic saves from goalkeeper Martin Elungat to keep the scores level.
James Jarieko picked Rashid Okocha who beat Villa centre back Ivan Sserubiri to create more room inside but his resultant effort was finger-tipped by Elungat for corner in the first stanza.
Elungat was then called into action when he parried away a good freekick from Gaddafi Gadinho with 20 minutes on the clock.
But Onduparaka couldn’t create any better chance, with Denis Ojara coming closer with his powerful free-kick also scuffing wide.
Villa had nothing to offer going forward, but could have stole all the points late in added time only for Hassan Musana’s freekick to curl an inch wide of goal.
Starting the season with two negative points (-2), Onduparaka are now on clean-slate having drawn goalless with URA FC at Nakisunga in their opener.
SC Villa move to four points having beaten Gaddafi 2-0 at Wankulukuku on match-day one.
Onduparaka Can’t Buy A Goal
Onduparaka are yet to find a goal 180 minutes into the season after another barren show in Bombo.
That cannot be alarming to a certain extent given as the side have picked two points, especially away to URA FC.
The one at Bombo, where they will play their next four home matches, will feel like an away game as well.
But they should still have done enough to edge a Villa side that is still figuring things out.
Goals are going to be hard to come by after the departure of Shaban Muhammad who was their too scorer last season.
And without a recognisable replacement up front, it promises to be a long season for the Caterpillars.
Point Earned For Villa
SC Villa never asked any question going forward but were very solid and organised at the back.
Serubiru might be slow but yet to find a challenge from the two games at his new club and he once again, together with Fred Gift, put up a show full of discipline and organisation.
There is that Ibrahim Kirya (assistant coach) mentality in this team – they are fighting for everything and playing with a big heart. Very hard to break down.
But their biggest worry is creativity, and you could feel that if Travis Mutyaba starts to play may be behind Ivan Bogere, all might be well.
Bogere was taken off, as it was against Gaddafi, without making an impact as he was isolated and was less involved.
But Jackson Magera and Kirya will be proud of the performance of the boys as the Jogoos start to forge new life.
What Next – Onduparaka will visit Gaddafi on October 12 in Jinja while SC Villa host Express in the traditional derby in Kampala.
Lineups
Onduparaka – Mathias Muwanga, Yakin Rashid, Joel Abaliwano, Boniface Musema, Gadafi Gadinho, Bernard Ndifuna, Rashid Okocha, Alex Adriko, Amos Muwonge, Denis Ojara, James Jarieko
SC Villa – Martin Elungat, Fred Gift, Joseph Kafumbe, Davis Ssekajja, Sheif Batte, Pistis Barenge, Hassan Musana, Frank Kalule, Fred Agandu, Ivan Sserubiri, Ivan Bogere
