KCCA increased their lead at the top of the Azam Uganda Premier League table to four points following a 3-1 victory over title rivals URA at Nakivubo as the second round kicked off with six games across the country.

Joseph Ochaya, Paul Mucurezi and Muzamir Mutyaba scored the goals for Mike Mutebi’s side to gain advantage over second-placed Vipers who will not feature this week to allow them prepare for weekend continental engagements.

Like their first round meeting in December, a goalkeeping error played a major part in the outcome of the game with URA goalkeeper Brian Bwete allowing Joseph Ochaya’s freekick through his palms for KCCA’s first goal.

The custodian had in the first round been let off the hook by opposite number Benjamin Ochan following a similar error with the latter’s two howlers gifting URA a 3-2 victory.

“Our goalkeeping department has to improve but I feel the game was lost after we failed to respond every time we conceded,” URA coach Kefa Kisala stated afterwards.

The goal breathed life to the game that had ended goaless at half time with KCCA getting their second after 58 minutes through Paul Mucurezi.

The attacker beat veteran Simeon Masaba to a loose ball in the box before side footing past Bwete.

Awany gives away penalty
URA then briefly threatened a comeback with league leading marksman Robert Sentongo rifling in a penalty, his 10th goal of the season, eight minutes later, following Timothy Awany’s foul on Nicholas Kagaba.

Kagaba had been one of two debutants for URA alongside Savio Kabugo while KCCA coach Mike Mutebi started with four new additions in Godfrey Ssembatya, Lawrence Kasadha Herman Wasswa and Caesar Okhuti. Mutyaba’s low shot then ended the game as Mutebi’s side moved to 32 points from 16 games.

“It is a good result although the performance was bad. Ugandan players have a bad mentality and think a game is won by scoring just two goals. When the opponent is playing poorly then you should punish them by scoring five or six goals,” Mutebi explained. Third placed Police dropped pace and stay on 26 points after going down 2-1 at home to Lweza for whom Juma Balinnya and Sula Bagala scored.