Mbarara City FC gave Proline FC a tough welcome back to the Star Times Uganda Premier League when they edged them 3-0 at the Luzira Prison grounds on a rainy Saturday evening.
With all Luzira Prison grounds’ records and statistics in favour of the Ankole Lions prior to the match, it was evident in the match proper when midfielder Paul Mucureezi broke the deadlock in the 25th minute following a lapse in the Proline FC defence.
Proline tried to pick themselves up but could not break a fully compact and resilient Mbarara defence in the first stanza.
At the start of second half, the Ankole lions continued on pretty much the same script, dominating play and controlling the tempo of the game. With close to an hour played, Brian Ahebwa doubled the lead with a cool finish.
Proline head coach Mathias Lule ran the changes with striker Alfred Leku, Bright Anukani and Ivan Bogere coming on at different intervals for Hamis Kizza, skipper Noordin Bunjo and Hakim Kiwanuka respectively.
With four minutes to play, Mucureezi was stopped in his tracks by Proline right back James Begesa inside the area. Mucureezi stepped up and made no mistake, converting his kick past a hapless Hassan Matovu.
The defeat to Proline left a lot of questions on whether new head coach Mathias Lule is the right man to handle the team as he remains winless in four games now since taking charge from Shafiq Bisaso.
Mbarara City will visit SC.Villa on Wednesday at Namboole stadium while Proline FC will host Onduparaka FC at Lugogo on the same day.
How both teams lined up
Mbarara City FC
Tom Ikara, Zaidi Byekwaso, Ronald Otti, Hilary Mukundane, Jasper Ahebwa, Orit Ibrahim, Paul Mucereezi, Jude Ssemugabi, Brian Aheebwa, Pistis Balenge, Solomon Okwalinga
Substitutes
Muhammed Ssekeba, Ivan Eyam, Wol Makweth, Swalik Bebe Ssegujja, Steven Kabuye, Stephen Othieno, Salim Huud
Proline FC
Hassan Matovu, Begisa James, Mukisa Yusuf, Mujuzi Mustapha, Muwanga Benard, Arnold Sserunjogi, Wamannah Ibrahim, Bunjo Noordin, Hamisi Kizza, Mato Rodgers, Kiwanuka Hakim
Substitutes
Magola Sharif, Sendi Ibrahim, Ajuna Richard, Bright Anukani, Leku Alfred, Bogere Ivan, Sam Kintu
