URA FC continued the club’s perfect start to 2020 by progressing to the Stanbic Uganda Cup round of 32 with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Lugazi Municipal FC.

It is a tough period for many clubs in the Premier League with games coming thick and fast. With URA FC facing a tough trip to Tooro United on Tuesday, Sam Ssimbwa made numerous changes for this tie.

But the Stanbic Uganda Cup arguably represent URA’s most realistic routes to a trophy this season and Ssimbwa underlined how seriously he is taking this competition by naming a strong line-up on Friday.

There were just three changes from the side that beat Bright Stars 1-0 in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League on Tuesday, as Alitho James was named in goal, while Mbowa Patrick and Kalega Hassan also started.

Goals from Birungi Micheal, Cromwel Rwothomio, Kagimu Shafik and Saidi Kyeyune saw the tax collectors record a fourth successive triumph in 2020 conceding only one goal.

Birungi Micheal (R) who got URA FC’s first goal.

URA FC dominated the game in the opening minutes and had more of the chances but had to be patient to get a goal. At the 10th  minute mark, Kagimu Shafik’s fierce shot was parried away by the Lugazi Municipal keeper. Five minutes later, Cromwel’s header was also seen saved by the Lugazi shot-stopper who had a good game to be fair.

Mutyaba Julius having got a knock, we were forced into an early change with midfielder Sseruibiri Ivan replacing him in the centre of the park in the 17th minute.  

Twenty-one minutes into the game, however, the deadlock was broken. The Lugazi Municipal defenders failed to clear the ball and allowed Birungi Micheal the opportunity to place a simple finish into the net, making him the third URA player to have netted two goals in 2020 (also Cromwel and Saidi). Kagimu had crossed the ball and the keeper parried it away only to find Birungi who made no mistake.

Two minutes before half time, Cromwel Rwothomio expertly hammered home a low header, doubling the Reds’ lead and scoring his fourth goal in his last 3 games.

Minutes later, Kagimu Shafik turned in an effort from close range to give us a 3-0 lead at half time.

Ssimbwa’s side started the second period as strong, if not stronger than they ended the first and as Cromwel was targeting his second of the evening but failed to find the target with his shot which ended wide of the left-hand post. Isiagi Daniel replaced Birungi Micheal at Half time.

However, in the 62nd minute, Lugazi Municipal broke through URA FC defence but Alitho James came out strong to make the important one on one save.

URA continued to control the match as it neared its conclusion and as the clock ticked down, Saidi Kyeyune smashed home in style after a penetrative run from Kagimu who fed him to seal the game for URA.

As well as an effective attacking display, the tax collectors will no doubt be proud of keeping a third clean sheet in all competitions in 2020 and can now look forward to the next draw for the round of 32 in this competition.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR URA?

A second successive away fixture sees the tax collectors travel to St. Paul’s Seminary Playground – Fort Portal on Tuesday afternoon (28 January) to face fifteenth-placed Tooro United in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, kick-off at 16:30 Hrs.

John Bugembe
January 25, 2020