Taremwa’s first top-flight goal failed to save the day after UPPC came from behind for victory.
Entebbe UPPC FC 2-1 UPDF FC.
After shining in the Buganda Regional League last season by winning the third division golden boot with 26 goals, Derick Taremwa got promoted from the UPDF reserve team Young Simba direct to the first team.
At Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo War Memorial, on Tuesday September 2, the lanky forward got his top-flight account off the mark with a thunder header from Shafic Kakande’s corner kick, leaving the UPPC backline and goalkeeper Denis Otim flat on their feet.
Hosts Entebbe UPPC immediately started to find a way back, but other new top-flight arrival Innocent Ongurucho, also secured from last season’s Buganda Regional League side Buwambo, marshalled the pitch at the bottom of UPDF FC’s midfield.
His foul on Richie Triomphe Kokolo was among the key moments to keep the game in control. Ongurucho was booked and the free-kick yielded nothing for the hosts as UPDF FC continued to dominate the game, arriving in the attacking penalty area on big occasions.
Hitting the woodwork by Asaf Ssegujja and Ongurucho’s shot from the rebound forced Otim to stretch a bit to clear the danger in the moments before the game went to 1-0.
After the big setback, Abdallah Mubiru and Livingstone Mbabazi on the UPPC technical bench brought in game controller Hassan Ssenyonjo to steady the sinking boat, replacing winger Ibrahim Orit, with Sharif Ssengendo switching his game to the left flank from the middle of the park.
A few minutes after filling the void in the midfield, Ssenyonjo controlled the midfield and later Ssengendo won a free-kick from Shafic Kawagu who had just received treatment with his head totally bandaged jaw to jaw.
With the free-kick precisely delivered by Ibrahim Mugulusi, the Entebbe-based side found an equalizer with Thomas Ochunga’s header that caught UPDF FC goalkeeper Richard Anyama confused off the line.
Ssenyonjo continued to support UPPC FC to control the game, with UPDF FC getting exposed until the game went into the halftime break with the score standing at 1-1 and both goals standing as the first goal of the season for either team. However, UPPC FC defeated defending champions Vipers SC with an own goal in the first game of the season.
The game returned for the second half. Abdallah Mubiru introduced last season’s team top scorer Ambrose Kigozi back from injury. The striker, from his first remarkable moment, was held by experienced defender Aggrey Kirya who held him with hands in the penalty area.
The moment was a penalty-winning moment, with referee Hillary Paul Twesigye finding no hesitation to point to the spot. Kigozi comfortably converted the penalty to his right-hand low corner, sending Anyama the wrong way for UPPC FC to take the lead.
The goal eventually stood to be the winner over a UPDF FC side which later went down to 10 men when last defender Swaib Kasujja fouled Kigozi to receive marching orders from referee Hillary Paul Twesigye.
With 10 men, UPPC FC got more chances to extend the game from 2-1, but Kokolo struck the free-kick against the wall and failed to beat Anyama in a one-against-one, while UPDF FC also tried to find a way back, winning corner kicks but yielding nothing.
The second round of the Uganda Premier League is continuing, awaiting bigger fixtures on Thursday when Express FC host KCCA FC on Thursday evening at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo War Memorial.