Thursday, February 9
*Wakiso Giants 0-1 KCCA
*Busoga United 0-1 Maroons
Friday, February 10
*BUL Vs Blacks Power
Rogers Mato’s contested goal earned KCCA maximum points against Wakiso Giants to get their UPL Second Round campaign up and running.
Mato who seemed to be coming from an offside position bundled home from close range at the stroke of halftime for a goal that settled the contest.
Assistant referee put his flag to indicate an offside, but after consultations, referee Ali Sabila let the goal stand.
Mato had collided out of play with Wakiso Giants’ Lawrence Bukenya (who remained off the pitch), before coming back into the field of play to slot home.
Per rules, the goal may rightly stand as Bukenya (despite being off the pitch) keeps any KCCA player onside.
The rule states that ‘A defender off the pitch without permission, is considered to be on the goal line or touchline for the purposes of offside.’
It remains a tough one though as when you look at critically at the video, Mato was in-between Goalkeeper Derrick Ochan and Bukenya, when he played the ball after coming from offside position.
Mato is offside because he is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent which is the goalkeeper in this instance.
On the flip side of the coin, KCCA would have been awarded a penalty after Allan Okello was brought down in the area before the ball slipped away into Mato’s path.
The victory helps KCCA complete a league double over Wakiso Giants, having beaten the side 3-2 at Lugogo in the season opener.
Morley Byekwaso’s side who finished the first round on a low note after losing 1-0 to Bright Stars, move to 32 points atop the standings.
Wakiso Giants Lack Spark
The Purple Sharks looked like a shadow of themselves especially going forward.
That quality that saw them blow away opponents in the first period of the season, was visibly missing.
That was expected after Ibrahim Kasule moved to Turkey, and it promises to be tough times ahead given Titus Ssematimba is with the Uganda Hippos.
They were in control before KCCA broke the deadlock, and later had some chances to find the leveller but in vain.
The best chance fell to substitute Shariph Kimbowa who was picked by Frank Ssebuufu with a cutback but his effort was poor and easily saved by Derrick Ochan.
Mikidad had earlier came close twice, he sent his powerful shot waved over by Ochan before later failing to find the target from a freekick in a good area.
Alex Komakech’s long drive was deflected for a corner while Moses Aliro was denied by a brilliant last ditch tackle by Geoffrey Wasswa early in the first half.
Coach John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda will be hoping for better days ahead, but this result will be hard to take in on a day they should have at least squeezed out a point.
KCCA Laugh Last
Coach Morley Byekwaso was well aware of the challenge that awaited his side at Wakissha.
And his side was not at their best on the day. They agreed to suffer, and at the end of the match, they had the best laugh.
These are kind of results, if KCCA win the title, they will have to look back with much pride and joy.
Striker Simon Kakonde worked tirelessly, although the same cannot be said of his partner Shaban Muhammad who ghosted through the contest.
Kakonde was a live wire and forced a good save from Samson Kirya, and he had earlier seen his drive go an inch wide.
Brian Majwega had a swerving effort kept out in some of KCCA’s rare chances on the day.
KCCA have established a four-point lead above BUL and Vipers, with the holders still having CAF Champions League assignments.
Players Used
Wakiso Giants – Samson Kirya, Grant Matsiko, Alex Komakech, Paul Willa, Ambrose Arinda, Lawrence Bukenya, Hassan Ssenyonjo, Tom Masiko, Moses Aliro, Frank Ssebuufu, Norman Ojik
KCCA – Derrick Ochan, Geoffrey Wasswa, Mustafa Mujuzi, Brian Majwega, Filbert Obenchan, Usama Arafat, Denis Iguma, Rogers Mato, Allan Okello, Simon Kankonde, Shaban Muhammad
