“We exhibited a very professional display against a team we normally struggle against. Am happy with how my team played but most importantly, returning to winning ways.”
These were the words said by a jolly Sam Simbwa in the aftermath of our home win against Mbarara City.
The win this evening has been our first ever league win against the Ankole Lions since their inception into the topflight league in 2017. It is however imperative to remember that URA FC had earlier this month broken the jinx and won against them in the Stanbic Uganda Cup Round of 32.
The head coach and his technical team were hoping for the same kind of luck coming into this game. Injuries to top scorer Steven Mukwala and Cromwel Rwothomio meant that Ibrahim Dada was to single-handedly lead the line.
The other three changes to the side that started in our away game against Solitilo Bright Stars saw Hannington Sebwalunyo start in goal ahead of Nafian Alionzi, Joackiam Ojera return to the flanks alongside Micheal Birungi.
Halftime 1-0
The start to the game was bright from the URA FC team perspective as the team exerted immense pressure on our opponents with Ojera nearly converting the first chance of the game in the 6th minute. At this stage, the intention to win was clear from the home side.
It wasn’t long before Joackiam Ojera was brought down in the opposition box in the 9th minute. The referee made no mistake but offered a penalty which was ably converted by Brian Majwega a minute later.
URA FC would continue to exert pressure on the opponents with a couple of half-chances but not much to write home about. That would conclude the first half of the game.
Full Time 2-0
Ibrahim Dada started us off in the second half with a long-range shot which he was disappointed to see fly over the bar in the 55th minute. The gaffer made a change at this juncture that saw Ivan Sserubiri replace Micheal Birungi.
The change would come to pay off in the 61st minute as Sserubiri set up the on-form Shafik Kagimu who beautifully placed the ball far from the opposition goalkeeper to send the crowd into a rupture.
The tax collectors came close to a third in the 65th minute when Ojera set up Dada who was bitterly disappointed to see his header pushed out for a corner kick.
Ssenyonga Mikidadi would come to the pitch for Man of the Match Ojera in the 83th minute. This was the first time he played since our game away to Express FC.
We spared some time to get the view of today’s Man of the Match Joachim Ojera about the match:
“We are happy with the results and returning to winning ways after our two games away from home. I am happy to be Man of the Match as well and I promise to improve my game further.”
In the same month, the tax collectors have faced Mbarara City three times and won twice with the third game being a draw. Most importantly, however, we have broken the jinx and won against the Ankole Lions in the league for the first in the history of both clubs.
Our next game will be the first round of the round of 16 tie of the Stanbic Uganda Cup match against Express FC. The game will be played this Saturday 1 May 2021 at the Betway Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.
See you then.