URA football club produced one of the best performances at Mandela National Stadium with a 3-0 opening-day demolition of Maroons FC.
The tax collectors were able to start the campaign off with three precious points with a resounding win, thanks to an opener from Kyeyune Saidi before Maroon’s Orombi Ronald put the ball in his own net. Ntege Ivan sealed the game in the 84th minute, finishing off excellently from Kyeyune’s set up.
With Mandela Ashraf, Kalega Hassan and Ssenyonga Mikidadi making their StarTimes Uganda Premier League starts (debuts), Sam Ssimbwa opted to field Sseruyidde Moses centrally behind main striker Cromwel Rwothomio, with Kagimu Shafik on the left and Mikidadi on the right.
We settled quickly and were unlucky not to be ahead within five minutes when debutant Kalega Hassan turned to thud a loose ball straight to Akol’s hands. The tax collectors had quick fired shots between Cromwel and Kyeyune but saw both flying over.
The tax collectors continued to threaten with dangerous crosses and quick forward runs by Mandela Ashraf but the key moment of the first half arrived in the 16th minute when Cromwel set up Kyeyune Saidi who fired past Akol to give URA FC the lead.
Maroons visibly gained in confidence which saw them nearly getting an equalizer towards the end of the first half but it was all in vain.
Coming back into the second half, the tax collectors picked up from where they stopped as they took a real stranglehold on the proceedings. Just seven minutes into the second half, Mandela Ashraf made a run in the right-wing and crossed the ball in the Maroons box only for Orombi Ronald to divert it into his own net.
Sam Ssimbwa made his first change in the 62nd minute with Ntege Ivan replacing Ssenyonga Mikidadi his fellow debutant. Substitute Ntege Ivan pressed a Maroons FC defender until he lost possession of the ball just at the edge of the box. Kyeyune Saidi was just at the perfect position to pick the ball, set up Ntege who made no mistake to slot in our third from the edge of the box.
Ssimbwa’s men kept a clean sheet, which is something that will please the manager and new boy Mandela Ashraf, but the attacking play, particularly in the second half, was a joy to behold. What a way to start the season!
THE TEAMS
URA: Alionzi; Mandela, Waibi, Hudu, Mbowa; Kalega, Kyeune; Sseruyidde (Sserubiri 79), Mikidadi (Ntege Ivan 62), Kagimu (c); Cromwel (Anwaru 80).
Subs not used: Alitho, Nyakoojo, Mutyaba, Kigongo.
Maroons: Akol; Kapampa, Bwogi, Okello, Ogwang; Mayanja, Orombi; Obuya, Walusimbi, Amaku; Nsubuga.
Scorers: Kyeyune Saidi 16, Orombi Ronald 67 (OG), Ntege Ivan 84.
Booked: Ntege Ivan, Kalega Hassan.