Shaban’s Winner Lifts Onduparaka Out Of Danger Zone
WestNile Gaints Onduparaka Football Club returned to their winning ways after stunning fellow strugglers Mbarara City FC 1-0 at Ababet GreenLight Stadium in Arua.
Muhammad Shaban Ijagason scored the only goal of the encounter as the Caterpillars picked a vital three points in their quest for StarTimes Uganda Premier League survival.
The possession stakes were pretty even in the opening first half that got off to a slow start as both sides looked for an opening goal.
The first clear-cut opportunity came through Henry Kitenge who failed to put Mbarara City ahead after his shot was well saved by Onduparaka’s custodian Kagiri Michael in 15th minutes.
Musisi Henry thought he had opened the lead for the visitors in the 21 minutes but his goal from a rebound was ruled out for an offside.
Emmanuel Oketch missed a chance to put the Caterpillars ahead with his solo effort that went wide in the 35th minute.
The Caterpillars took the lead from their next opportunity as Muhammad Shaban tapped home Mansoor Safi Agu’s delivery from a free-kick for a 1-0 at the stroke of the Half-time.
After the break the Caterpillars pressed the Ankole Lions as they look to add the second with Muhammad Shaban heading just over the cross bar.
The Ankole Lions regained possession and came close to leveling matters when Othieno Steven fired a shot wide in the 65th minute.
Mbarara City kept pushing for an equalizer but the Caterpillars held on to register their 5th victory of the season.
The result lifts Onduparaka FC out of the red zone in the 12th place of the log with 21 points from 21 games. Mbarara City FC meanwhile remained rooted in the 2nd place from the bottom of the log with 17 points after 21 games.
Confirmed-LineUps:
ONDUPARAKA FC XI: Kagiri, Rogers, Patrick, Okello, Ojara, Amayo, Mayanja, Mubiru, Shaban, Oketch, Mansoor
MBARARA CITY XI: Ssekeeba, Musisi, Othieno, Otti, Najib, Bamba, Gadaffi, Thomas, Okwalinga, Jude, Kitegenyi
