Lwanga shines on return as KCCA edge BUL in FUFA Super 8
Lwanga capitalised on a defensive mistake after Faisal Matovu failed to clear Shafik Kwikiriza’s cross, leaving the forward with the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net.
Charles Lwanga celebrating after scoring a goal. (Photos by Ismael Mulangwa)
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FUFA Super 8
Quarterfinals
First-leg results
KCCA 2 BUL 1
SC Villa 1 Maroons 1
Sunday
Kitara v Police
NEC v UPPC
Back at the club after spending the last three seasons at SC Villa, Lwanga needed only a few minutes to announce his return.
He capitalised on a defensive mistake after Faisal Matovu failed to clear Shafik Kwikiriza’s cross, leaving the forward with the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net.
Despite taking the lead, KCCA struggled to impose themselves and looked far from their best for much of the contest, drawing criticism from supporters and neutral fans alike.
BUL responded almost immediately, with Reagan Kalyowa converting from the penalty spot after KCCA captain Herbert Achayi fouled Denis Ssegudde inside the area.
Referee Lucky Kasalirwe pointed straight to the spot, and Kalyowa made no mistake as he levelled the scores.
The first half ended 1-1, and although KCCA showed more urgency after the break, their display remained below the standards expected of a side hoping to challenge for the league title this season.
The decisive moment came in the 68th minute when midfielder Saidi Mayanja punished hesitant BUL defending.
After Lwanga’s header was not cleared, Mayanja controlled the loose ball before firing past BUL goalkeeper Jean Brady Wokorach, who was making his debut.
KCCA finished the stronger side and created enough chances to extend their advantage, but Lwanga was wasteful in front of goal. The striker missed several opportunities, including one effort that crashed against the crossbar.
After the match, KCCA head coach Brian Ssenyondo admitted his side had not produced their best football but stressed that improvements would come as pre-season progresses.
"It is still early days in pre-season. We are only in week four, so we shall take both the performance and the result for now. Hopefully by the time we play the return leg, we will be a much better team," Ssenyondo said.
BUL head coach Alex Isabirye also acknowledged his team’s shortcomings but remained confident they can overturn the deficit in Friday’s return leg.
"We did not perform to our expectations, and we did not defend well, but it was not an entirely bad performance. I am still confident we can overturn the result," Isabirye said.
In the day’s other quarter-final, defending champions SC Villa were held to a 1-1 draw by Maroons after Marvin Oshaba struck a stoppage-time equaliser to cancel out Aslam Ssemakula’s first-half opener.
The winners of Friday’s return legs will advance to the semi-finals of the pre-season tournament.