By Tonny Blair Otto
Nine goals were scored across seven StarTimes Uganda Premier League fixtures in the opening game week. We also saw two goalless draws and three games ended with a total of five goals.
The highs
As expected, BUL FC did fry league debutant Blacks Power in Lira 5-0, Karim Ndugwa and Richard Wandyaka both grabbing braces in a customary welcome win for the Jinja team.
Maroons FC also imprisoned Busoga United in Luzira lashing them 5-0 with Fred Amaku picking a brace, Sula Mpanga, Walusimbi and Noel Nasasira scored the other against a disorganised Busoga United.
SC Villa looked a rejuvenated side as they cruised past Gaddafi Modern 2-0 at Wankulukuku. They looked the better team in their encounter inflicting pain on Wasswa Bbosa’s charges.
Gaddafi Modern were highly tipped to win the encounter but a sweet header from Gift Fred and an own goal by Andrew Waiswa were enough to give SC Villa breathing space.
The normals
KCCA got off to a perfect start in their title quest with a 3-2 win at home against a tricky Wakiso Giants side.
Ashraf Mugume was the star of the show as his brace off the bench and a goal from Geoffrey Wasswa proved enough to outclass their opponents.
Wakiso Giants’ Kasule and Tom Masiko’s goals were not enough to earn a point as the Kasasiro boys went on to bag all three points in the tie.
UPDF and Express played out to a barren draw in Bombo as both sides walked away with a point a piece. New Mukwano Gwa Bangi boy Allan Kayiwa scored on his debut but UPDF’s Faridi Rashid came on as a sub to restore parity.
The lows
Defending champions Vipers SC got off to a rather slow start in their title defense after they were held to a barren draw by Soltilo Bright Stars.
The venoms failed to find the back of the net for the first time at home in 12 games spanning back November 2021.
A solid display from Bright Stars earned them a point in enemy territory as Warren Buule put up a defensive masterclass to prevent Vipers from finding the back of the net.
Vipers will consider themselves unlucky for failure to burry the chances they created, they were less infective in the final third to say the least.
URA FC fired blanks in the barren draw at Nakisunga as they hosted Onduparaka in Mukono. Expected to win the encounter, the Tax Collectors faced a defensively solid Onduparaka who were determined to get away with anything they can.
URA will rue their own sloppy play and missed chances and a good start for Onduparaka as they earned a precious point away from home.
BUL FC sit top of the table closely followed by Maroons and SC Villa with KCCA in 4th.
Blacks Power and Busoga United make up the bottom three after matchday one’s heavy defeats.
The UPL returns on Tuesday with Bright Stars hosting Maroons at the Kavumba Recreation Grounds.
