University Football League | Semifinal- 2nd Leg
- SLAU 1-0 IUIU (Agg 2-1)
St. Lawrence University (SLAU) has once again written its name into Ugandan university football history, reaching its third University Football League (UFL) final in Four Years after a gritty 1-0 win over Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) on Thursday evening at Kavule.
The result sealed a 2-1 aggregate victory for the Saints, reaffirming their dominance at home and setting up a shot at glory.
The game kicked off with purpose and within the first eight minutes, Matege Innocent offered the Saints an early glimpse of goal with a speculative strike from distance that missed the target. SLAU came out firing on all cylinders, dominating possession and creating clearer chances.
Fifteen minutes in, their pressure finally bore fruit. Kembo Osuman Arafat ever lively in attack, latched onto a sharp cross from Ssentongo Ivan to break the deadlock and send the home crowd into celebration. The goal was not just crucial for the scoreline, it extended SLAU’s remarkable six-year unbeaten run at Kavule.
Kembo continued to trouble the IUIU defense, nearly doubling the lead with a close-range effort that drew a fine save from goalkeeper Musasizi Sadat. IUIU, however, grew into the game with Onongo Dennis testing SLAU’s defense with a powerful run and shot that missed by inches just before halftime.
The second half brought renewed urgency from the visitors. Just three minutes after the restart, Mumali Faisal struck the woodwork for IUIU, coming agonizingly close to leveling the aggregate. As the minutes ticked by, the pressure mounted. Onongo again threatened, drawing a foul on the edge of the area that the referee waved away, much to IUIU’s frustration.
With ten minutes to play, tension was high. Fans wondered, would IUIU find the goal to force penalties or would SLAU hold on? The answer came with the final whistle. Despite a late surge, the Saints’ defense stood tall and they secured their spot in another final.
Now, all eyes turn to April 15th when Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi looks to protect a 2-0 first-leg lead over Bugema University in the second semifinal.
