Table leaders of the Uganda Premier League KCCA FC lost their final game of the first round 1-0 to Soltilo Bright Stars FC, at Kavumba Recreation Grounds on Tuesday.

Bright Stars’ striker Emmanuel Loki scored the only goal of the game in the 66th minute off Nelson Senkatuka’s assist.

It was a cagey opening quarter of an hour until when KCCA’s Allan Okello forced the hosts’ goalkeeper Hassan Matovu into a brilliant save. The latter parred the former’s curling shot wide.

At the half-hour mark, Cleophus Fiat had Bright Stars’ best chance of the half but KCCA goal-minder Derrick Ochan punched his hard shot from outside the box out.

Following a goalless stalemate at halftime, it was all to play for in the second half but both sides were not threatening that much in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

However, Bright Stars found their way through out of nothing when Loki and Senkatuka combined for the former to shoot from outside the box.

Later on, the game tempo raised as the visitors searched for an equalizer, but the hosts were solid in defense and guarded their lead full-time.

Despite the defeat, KCCA maintained their top spot with 29 points, second-placed Vipers SC also lost by the same scoreline to Busoga in Jinja on the evening.

On the other hand, Bright Stars took their tally to 20 points in the eighth position and will host Vipers when the league resumes in February for the second round whereas KCCA will visit Wakiso Giants FC.

In the other games played on the same day, Modern Gaddafi FC beat URA FC 2-1 in Jinja while at Kyabaggu, Wakiso and Arua Hill SC drew 1-1.

How both teams lined up

Bright Stars: Hassan Matovu (GK), Andrew Kyambadde ©, Warren Buule, Ivan Irinimbabazi, Ibrahim Kasinde, Emmanuel Loki, Noordin Bunjo, Nelson Senkatuka, Denis Kaka Omony, Johnathan Gift Odongo, Cleophus Fiat

Substitutes: Innocent Kitamwe Kitimbo, Derrick Kiggundu, Jafari Kaziro, Issa Bugembe, Bob Junior Olwoch, Shamulan Kamya, Frank Kato Kizanyiro

KCCA: Derrick Ochan (GK), Julius Poloto ©, Mustafa Mujuzi, Saidi Mayanja, Allan Okello, Muhammad Shaban, Tshisungu Kankonde, Moses Waiswa, Geoffrey Wasswa, Arafati Usama, Filbert Obenchan

Substitutes: Ali Mwirusi, Muhamed Ssenoga, Charles Lwanga, Faisal Wabyoona, Rogers Mato, Emmanuel Wasswa, Rogers Atube