FUFA Big League Results | Sunday | MD 22
- Black Power 0-0 Kiyinda Boys
- Gaddafi 0-0 Buhimba United
- Arua Hill 1-0 Onduparaka
- Busoga United 0-1 Paidha Black Angels
- Booma 2-2 Calvary
- Ntugasaze 3-1 MYDA
As the FUFA Big League enters its final bend, the race for promotion has taken a dramatic twist.
On a weekend where the top three contenders were expected to stamp their authority, they all faltered, dropping valuable points and leaving the door ajar for chasing teams.
While the frontrunners Blacks Power, Buhimba United Saints and Gaddafi stumbled to goalless draws, the real story may be unfolding further down the table where Allan Kabonge’s Arua Hill continues to quietly gather momentum.
Blacks Power, perched at the top with 39 points, were held at home in Lira by a resilient Kiyinda Boys side in a frustrating goalless draw.
It marked another missed opportunity for the league leaders to widen the gap especially as both Buhimba United and Gaddafi, second and third respectively cancelled each other out with another stalemate in Entebbe.
That duel was a chess match of defensive discipline. Buhimba’s backline, led by captain Charles Kyomuhendo and anchored by goalkeeper Moses Ayebale held firm against Gaddafi’s potent forward trio of Davis Kasirye, Jonathan Mbula, and Samuel Kawawa Jr.
The hosts returned the favour, frustrating Buhimba’s January star signing John Wesley Kisakye and his frontline partners. It was the third successive 0-0 draw for Buhimba who now sit one point off the top with 38, albeit from 21 matches. Gaddafi trails with 36 points from the same number of games.
In contrast to the stagnation above them, fourth-placed Paidha Black Angels made their intentions clear with a 1-0 away win over Busoga United in Jinja.
The victory pushes them to 36 points, level with Gaddafi and just three shy of the summit. As things stand, Paidha is quickly turning from hopefuls to real contenders in the race for the top three promotional spots.
- Arua Hill’s silent climb
But while the spotlight fixated on the title contenders’ missteps, Allan Kabonge’s Arua Hill is making a quiet surge. The experienced tactician guided his side to back-to-back victories last week, first a 2-1 win over Kiyonga Boys on Thursday, then a gritty 1-0 triumph over Onduparaka at the Pece War Memorial Stadium in Gulu on Sunday.
Derrick Ocen was the hero against Onduparaka, scoring the lone goal that could eventually prove pivotal.
Arua Hill’s revival may be coming too late for a direct promotion push, but they are certainly becoming kingmakers in this final stretch after a late change in coaching staff.
They travel next to Bar Okoro to face a red-hot Paidha Black Angels side, an encounter that could further shake the top of the table.
With seven games left, the promotion puzzle remains unsolved. Blacks Power will next host Onduparaka in Lira while Buhimba welcomes Busoga United to Kigaaya.
Gaddafi faces a tricky trip to Bukedea against MYDA and all eyes will be on Bar Okoro where Paidha and Arua Hill clash in what could be the weekend’s defining fixture.
