Uganda Premier League | Thursday | MD 23
- Police 2-0 Mbarara City
- SC Villa 3-1 Mbale Heroes
The new era under Police FC’s head coach Richard Wasswa Lule kicked off on the perfect note, as the law enforcers put up a commanding display to defeat Mbarara City 2-0 in a Uganda Premier League (UPL) clash at the Kavumba Recreation Grounds on Thursday afternoon.
Coming into the match on the back of back-to-back defeats against Kitara and Bright Stars, the pressure was on. But under Lule’s guidance, Police showed renewed energy, tactical discipline and an attacking edge that had been missing in recent weeks.
It didn’t take long for the new look technical bench to see its first reward. In the 18th minute, striker Umar Kasumba got the hosts off the mark, expertly flicking a header past Mbarara goalkeeper Abdul Kimera after a well-placed cross from Daniel Jakony. Kavumba roared to life.
Mbarara responded swiftly and thought they had an equalizer through Ahumuza Wycliffe but his finish was ruled out for offside. Kasumba nearly doubled his tally before halftime but Kimera did well to keep his side in the game with a sharp save.
The visitors came out stronger after the break, with substitute Paul Busolo injecting pace and forcing Police goalkeeper Mathias Muwanga into a smart save. From the resulting corner, Mbarara came closest to scoring when they struck the woodwork just inches from leveling the match.
Still, Police refused to back down. Kasumba turned provider in the 68th minute, slipping in Dennis Kalanzi who unfortunately misfired with only the keeper to beat. But the hosts kept pushing.
The breakthrough came in the 79th minute when Gaddafi Kacancu put the game beyond doubt. A clever ball from Reagan Male found him unmarked in the box and he coolly slotted home to seal the win.
The result lifts Police FC to 12th place on the 16-team table with 26 points from 23 matches while Mbarara City now sit just behind in 13th with 23 points.
Coach Lule, who has taken over at a critical juncture of the season, will take plenty of encouragement from his team’s fight and fluidity, qualities they’ll need as they prepare for their next test away to BUL FC on April 16th.
Elsewhere, SC Villa made light work of bottom side Mbale Heroes winning 3-1 at the Muteesa II Royal Stadium. Goals from Simon Ssemayange, a Mbale own goal and Patrick Jonah Kakande helped the Jogoos to victory with Robert Eseru netting a consolation for the visitors.
Later in the evening, NEC FC were set to host Kitara FC under the lights at the Phillip Omondi Stadium in Lugogo in what promises to be a fiery encounter at the Slaughter House.
