StarTimes Uganda Premier League:
UPDF FC 1-1 Kitara FC
Bombo
Kitara were held to a 1-1 stalemate by UPDF FC in the StarTimes Uganda Premier league match played this evening away at the Bombo military playgrounds.
Kitara FC struggled to settle into the game in the first half against a lively UPDF FC side that probed them from the get go. The hosts started brightly, forcing Kitara custodian Meddie Kibirige into early action.
Ronald Kayondo saw a fierce goal bound shot brilliantly blocked by Yunus Sibira in the 10th minute, while Ivan Bogere spurned two golden opportunities lifting one effort over the bar after rounding Kibirige and arriving just too late for a tap in from a Kayondo cross.
Kibirige was the busier keeper throughout the half, making several crucial saves to deny UPDF, particularly Bogere, and keep the scores level.
At the other end, the Royals struggled to find their attacking rhythm against UPDF’s energetic and organized display. Kitara managed only two attempts on goal in the entire 45 minutes, finding it difficult to build pressure and penetrate the ‘ resolute defense.
Despite UPDF’s dominance in chances, Kitara’s defense, marshaled by the excellent Kibirige, held firm to reach the break on level terms.
The Royals regrouped in the second stanza and slowly started to impose themselves more effectively in the attacking third.
In the 64th minute, Benjamin Nyakoojo headed past the UPDF goalkeeper, but the goal was disallowed for offside. The hosts capitalized when Bogere who had been consistently dangerous throughout struck home twenty minutes from time to seize the lead.
Kitara responded after Kabon Living calmly converted from the spot-kick to level the score. John Bosco Byaruhanga and Chrispus Asiki then combined brilliantly late on, but Byaruhanga’s final touch failed to deliver a winner.
The match concluded in a 1-1 draw and the result keeps Kitara second in the league, one point behind Vipers SC. With both Vipers and SC Villa playing tomorrow, the table could shift significantly; a Vipers win would put them four points clear, while SC Villa could leapfrog Kitara into second if they win.
Kitara’s next fixture is another difficult away trip, this time to Kamwenge district to face Mbarara City FC, a side they have not beaten away at their home ground.