Kitara’s Super 8 campaign ended in heartbreak on Tuesday evening as the Royals fell 4-1 on penalties to SC Villa, following a goalless stalemate after normal time, to finish fourth in the competition.
Head coach Wasswa Bbosa shuffled his lineup for the clash, handing starts to experienced defender Murushid Jjuuko, Jackson Ssembatya and Martin Kizza, while Miisi Diego Ssemugera, Gaddafi Wahab and Frank Tumwesigye took charge of a three man midfield.
Both sides traded blows in an even opening spell, before Villa gradually took control as the half progressed. The Jogoos came closest to breaking the deadlock through Andrew Otim, whose goalbbound strike was well kept out by the Kitara goal keeper Meddie Kibirige, while John Asiimwe was denied by a last ditch goal line clearance from Jjuuko to keep the scores level at the break.
Bbosa turned to his bench after the hour mark sending on wingers John Byaruhanga and Chrispus Asiki to inject width and pace down the flanks. Jeromy Kirya, Alex Wasswa and target man Karim Ndugwa had earlier been brought on after restart as Kitara searched for a breakthrough, but the Villa backline held firm and the tie went to spot kicks.
It proved an evening to forget from twelve yards, with only Alex Wasswa finding the net for the Royals as efforts from Kirya and Nicholas Kasozi were both saved by Villa shot stopper Hassan Matovu, sealing a 4-1 shootout win for the Jogoos.
The result extends a worrying trend in front of goal for Kitara, who have now gone three straight matches without scoring from open play, dating back to their 4-0 opening day win over Police FC. Since then, the Royals have suffered 1-0 defeats to Police FC in the second leg and KCCA FC in the semi finals.
Attention now turns to Saturday at 6pm, when Kitara will look to put this disappointment behind them as they take on Vipers SC in the curtain raiser to the new season — the FUFA Super Cup at the Hamz Nakivubo Stadium.