2025/26 Uganda Premier League | MD 15 | Saturday January 31
- Maroons FC 1-1 Mbarara City FC
Maroons FC and Mbarara City FC played out a 1–1 draw in Luzira in the final game of the first round of the Uganda Premier League.
The match kicked off at 4:00 PM under cloudy skies, with light drizzle after heavy rain threatened.
The first half was slow and cautious. Both teams focused more on defending than attacking, and there were very few clear chances in the opening 30 minutes.
At 35 minutes, Mbarara City’s creative midfielder Ronald Edwok (No.7) got a good chance inside the box.
He shot at the near post, but the ball missed by inches and went out for a Maroons goal kick. A minute later, Mbarara skipper Ambrose Arinda was booked for a foul on Ivan Asaba.
Maroons tried to create something through set pieces. At 37 minutes, Ivan Mayanja sent in a planned free kick, but the ball went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands. At 40 minutes, Mayanja tried again, but his shot was saved once more.
In added time, Emmanuel Obua took a long corner kick for Maroons. The ball dropped into the box, but no one was there to head it home. The first half ended goalless and with little excitement.
Maroons made two changes at the break. Derrick Niwamanya came on for Emmanuel Obua, while Norman Odipio replaced Ronald Orombi.
Just three minutes into the second half, Mbarara City took the lead. Their lone striker Marvin Busuulwa punished poor defending by Boris Onegi and a lack of communication with Edward Kabona.
After a through pass from midfield, Busuulwa lifted a clever volley over goalkeeper Hassan Matovu, who had come far off his line.
The ball dropped into an empty net. It was a brilliant goal and gave the Ankole Lions a 1–0 lead.
Maroons pushed for an equalizer. At 55 minutes, Niwamanya had his first shot blocked, and his follow-up went out for a corner.
Three minutes later, Norman Odipio found himself in a good position, but he handled the ball, and the chance was lost.
More changes followed. Innocent Kitimbo replaced Ivan Asaba in the 59th minute, and Abel Eturude came on for Jamal Ssemwogerere at 62 minutes. Mbarara City also made a change, bringing on Kakaire for Sadat Nsubuga.
Maroons kept attacking. At 70 minutes, Kitimbo sent in a long cross looking for Niwamanya, but the Mbarara goalkeeper came out well to collect the ball.
At 74 minutes, Ronald Edwok hit a dangerous free kick that crashed off the crossbar, with Matovu beaten. Maroons were lucky there.
In the 78th minute, Niwamanya and Baden Ogama played quick one-touch passes. The ball reached Roger Kiwanuka, who drove into the box and shot, but his effort was deflected for a corner. From the corner, Boris Onegi headed over the bar.
At 81 minutes, Godwin Kitagenda replaced Ivan Mayanja. A minute later, Mbarara’s Mohammed Kanyike fired a shot from about 18 yards that missed the target by inches.
In the 85th minute, Maroons had a golden chance. Eturude found Kitagenda unmarked on the left side of the box. Kitagenda went for power, but his shot flew over the bar. It was a big miss.
Maroons kept the pressure on. At 88 minutes, Fredrick Kigozi broke down the left and crossed hard into the box, but no one was there to tap it in.
At last, in the 90th minute, Maroons got their reward. Baden Ogama skipped past two defenders and slipped a smart pass to Abel Eturude at the edge of the box.
Closely marked, Eturude stayed calm and placed the ball into the bottom right corner. The goalkeeper stretched but could not reach it. The stadium erupted as Maroons made it 1–1.
Moments later, Mbarara City picked up a yellow card when No.28 fouled Baden Ogama.
Maroons had a late penalty appeal in stoppage time after they claimed Arinda handled the ball in the box, but the referee waved play on.
In the 90+3 minute, Maroons had the last big chance. Kiwanuka dribbled past three players and broke into the box from the right.
He shot from a tight angle, but the ball went over the bar. The final whistle followed soon after.
Match Statistics
- Total shots: Maroons 9, Mbarara City 8
- Possession: Maroons 56%, Mbarara City 44%
- Corners: Maroons 7, Mbarara City 2
The draw leaves Maroons with 18 points from 15 matches, sitting 9th on the table. They have scored 14 goals and conceded 11.
Mbarara City remain in the relegation battle with 12 points from 15 games, having scored 13 and conceded 25.
Maroons Starting XI:
Hassan Matovu (GK), Edward Kabona, Boris Onegi, Fredrick Kigozi, Jamal Ssemwogerere (C), Ronald Orombi, Ivan Mayanja, Emmanuel Obua, Baden Ogama, Roger Kiwanuka, Ivan Asaba.
Mbarara City Starting XI:
Stuart Hussein Kafuluma (GK), Ambrose Arinda (C), Benard Ndifuuna, Ronald Edwok, Ian Amanya, Reagan Matege, Gadaffi Kacanu, Muhammed Kanyike, Abdul Malik Bironse, Sadat Nsubuga.
Both teams now turn their focus to the second round, with Maroons hoping to push higher up the table and Mbarara City desperate to escape the drop zone.
