By Robert Kayindi James
The new Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL) resumed on Friday 19th August at the different stadia across the country with eight fixtures played. Two wins and six draws were recorded on the day, five of the draws being goalless which further manifested the low scoring rates for the local league clubs. Eight goals were scored, seven of which were netted by debutants.
The Wins
Defending champions KCCA FC kicked off their title defence on a high note with a 2-1 victory over Jinja based side JMC Hippos at the Phillip Omondi Stadium. 2016 MVP (Most Valuable Player) opened the scoring for the reigning champions inside 20 minutes of the game off Paul Mucureezi’s attempt that failed to beat the JMC custodian. The Kasasiro Boys held onto the lead until halftime. In the second half, Viane Ssekajjugo, a summer recruit from The Saints levelled matters for the visitors at the one hour mark before Geoffrey Sserunkuma restored the host’s lead just after five minutes.
At Muteesa II Memorial Stadium, Express FC came out on top of the Wankulukuku derby against Kajjansi based side Lweza FC. KCCA reject Herman Wasswa netted twice to win it for the Red Eagles while Karim Ndugwa, who joined from SC Villa scored for the Kajjansi Boys.
The stalemates
At the heart of Kampala, two time league champions Vipers Sports Club shared the spoils with Kawempe based side, Bright Stars. Fred Segujja, a signing from Sadolin Paints gave Bright Stars the lead while midfielder Ibrahim Kayiwa was on target for the hosts. Kayiwa joined the 2016 Uganda Cup champions from Express FC in July.
Elsewhere, the tie between Police and SC Villa ended in a goalless draw while the story wasn’t any different when Soana travelled to GreenLight Stadium in Aura to play league debutants Onduparaka. The result was the same when URA visited Kirinya in Jinja as well as in the tie between Bul and Proline, The Saints and Sadolin.
Key Statistics to note
Like the case was last season, Joseph Benson Ochaya once again scored the first goal of the season against JMC Hippos. Last season he scored it against Sadolin Paints. According to online sources, Herman Wasswa scored the fourth time on his debut. He it did for Masaka LC, KCCA FC, Sofapaka and now Express FC and only failed to do the same in 2012 at SC Villa. It was also being the third time the striker scored on the opening day of the season having done it in 2012/2013 for Villa against Bul FC, for KCCA against Police in 2013/2014 and for Express in 2016/2017 against Lweza.
The league continues on Tuesday 23rd August with all the 16 teams expected to be in action.
