StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Result:
Kitara 2-0 SC Villa
Royals Park – Butema
Kitara FC reignited their StarTimes Uganda Premier League title ambitions with a decisive 2-0 victory over SC Villa on Thursday evening at a spirited Royals Park in Butema.
Coming into the match level on 51 points with the visitors, the Royals knew only a win would keep them within touching distance of leaders Vipers SC. The result propelled Kitara into second place, just five points off the summit with four fixtures remaining.
Coach Wasswa Bbosa made key adjustments to the backline, pairing Benjamin Nyakoojo and Samuel Kato in central defence. The duo delivered a composed performance, effectively neutralising the threat of Villa striker Frank Ssebufu throughout the encounter.
The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute. Midfielder Yunus Sibira won possession deep in Villa territory before slipping a precise through ball to Patrick Kaddu, who made no mistake in slotting home. The strike marks Kaddu’s ninth league goal this season, placing him just two behind the league’s leading scorer.
SC Villa came close to an equaliser just before halftime when captain David Owori’s inviting cross found Ssebufu, whose header drifted narrowly wide.
Kitara doubled their advantage in stunning fashion before the break. Jimmy Kalema ignited a swift counter attack, breezing past Owori and feeding Sibira, who drove into the box, rounded goalkeeper David Lukwago, and finished calmly to give the Royals a deserved two goal cushion at the interval.
The visitors pressed in the second half, their clearest opportunity coming in the 65th minute when Najib Yiga’s cross found Ssebufu, but Meddie Kibirige stretched to make a crucial save.
With twenty minutes remaining, Bbosa introduced fresh legs in Frank Tumwesigye and Shaban Muhammad. The latter almost created a third shortly after, beating his marker on the right and cutting back for Kalema, whose effort was cleared in the nick of time by Villa’s defender Lubangakene.
SC Villa thought they had a consolation in the final minute when Andrew Otim found space and fired goalward, but Kibirige stood firm to preserve a clean sheet and secure all three points.
The Royals now shift focus to the Stanbic Uganda Cup, where they host Vipers SC in the semi final first leg this Sunday afternoon at Royals Park.