Bunhole Bunanhumba 1-1 Kigulu
Bunhole Bunanhumba and Kigulu shared the points after a tightly contested 1-1 draw at Bugadde Primary School in Mayuge on Wednesday.
The hosts started brightly and nearly broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Bagenda Anthony used his pace to beat the Kigulu backline down the left before firing inside the six-yard box. Kigulu goalkeeper Musasizi Joshua reacted superbly to keep the effort out.
Bunanhumba continued to threaten and came close again in the 35th minute. Lusajja Raymond headed a cross towards goal, but goalkeeper Kalidasi Sinani spilled the ball inside the box. Captain Musana James was alert, however, and cleared the danger.
Kigulu had their best opportunity of the opening half when Kisambira Abbas was released one-on-one with Sinani. He attempted to lob the goalkeeper, but the effort lacked sufficient height and was comfortably collected by the Bunanhumba custodian.
The visitors eventually found the breakthrough 12 minutes after the restart.
Ziraba Jamiru stepped up from a free-kick on the right wing and produced a stunning effort to put Kigulu 1-0 ahead.
Bunhole Bunanhumba responded by pushing for an equaliser and almost got it in the 79th minute. Substitute Kigomba Rashid connected with Waiswa Thomas’ cross, but Musasizi was alert to punch the ball away for a corner.
The pressure finally told three minutes later.
Masanja Robert pounced on a loose ball inside the box in the 82nd minute to level the score and send the home crowd into wild celebrations.
Bunhole Bunanhumba’s Okecho David was named Man of the Match, while Kigulu goalkeeper Musasizi Joshua took the runner-up award after helping keep his side in the contest.
The result brought the first round to a close, with Kigulu leading the group on five points. The second-placed team has two points, while Bunhole Bunanhumba sit bottom on one point.
All teams now await communication from the tournament organising committee on when the second round will resume.
Bulamogi 1-1 Luuka
Luuka came from behind to claim a point against Bulamogi in a fiercely contested 1-1 draw that brought the first round to a close in the Mawembe Hill Group.
The match generated huge excitement around Buvulunguti and Nawaikoke in Kaliro District, with large numbers of supporters making their way to watch the two sides.
Luuka dominated the opening 10 minutes, but their attacking efforts and set-piece opportunities were repeatedly frustrated by the physical presence of Bulamogi’s towering goalkeeper, Musa Matende.
The first major moment came after 15 minutes when the referee awarded Bulamogi an indirect free-kick after Luuka goalkeeper Richard Aroma handled the ball outside his territory.
Cyprian Okello stepped up and sent a grass-cutting free-kick past the helpless Aroma to give Bulamogi a 1-0 lead, which they carried into half-time.
Luuka increased the pressure after the restart, with substitutes Ibrahim Kazungu and Emmanuel Kizza adding impetus to the attack.
The pressure resulted in a succession of corners and free-kicks as Luuka pushed Bulamogi’s backline deeper.
Their persistence finally paid off after 71 minutes.
Luuka’s dangerous attacking midfielder Collin produced a low drive into the area, which was tapped in by the towering defender Topher Nandigobe to bring the visitors level.
Both teams then pushed for the winning goal, but the two goalkeepers produced the saves needed to ensure the points were shared.
The match was watched by Bulamogi North West MP Patrick Kasajja, Luuka’s Speaker Ronald Bikumbi and other dignitaries, alongside hundreds of supporters from both sides.
The draw leaves Luuka, Bulamogi and Buzaya all on two points heading into the second-round preliminary matches. Luuka were last season’s finalists, while Bulamogi eliminated the same opponents 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
Luuka coach Abdallah Balikoowa said his side were pleased to recover from the early setback.
“We were undone by the early goal we conceded but we were so happy to save for a late point which we will build on come second round.”
Bulamogi Sazas coach Isa Kifuwa admitted his side had not had the ideal preparation but called on supporters to back the team.
“We had a poor preparation going into today’s game. A case in point comes after only having one day training on Wednesday. We call upon our fans to support us so that we can make it to the quarter finals again.”
With the first round now complete, the tournament goes into a break as the teams prepare for the second round.
