In a pulsating encounter on Match Day 5 of the Kampala Regional League, Water FC clashed with Police FC at the Prisons’ grounds in Luzira, setting the stage for a gripping football spectacle.
The anticipated kickoff at 2 pm faced a 40-minute delay due to an extended license inspection, adding an extra layer of suspense to an already charged atmosphere.
Finally, at 2:40 pm, the battle commenced, with Water FC making an early statement by dominating the opening minutes. Striker Ibrahim Kitenda missed a golden opportunity in the 5th minute, failing to convert a pinpoint cross from Joshua Aziku.
Undeterred, Water FC continued to press high, with Gerald Rwakatinti delivering a precise cross from the right flank, only for Kitenda to miss another chance in the 11th minute. The relentless pressure paid off in the 15th minute when Wasswa Batte broke the deadlock, putting Water FC in the lead.
The game saw a shift in momentum as Police FC grew into the contest. Despite a close call in the 17th minute when Ibrahim fired wide, Water FC held their slim 1-nil lead at the end of the first half, thanks in part to the heroics of goalkeeper James Okema.
The second half kicked off with Water FC attempting to build on their lead. However, Antony Muhwezi’s 48th-minute through ball to Kitenda was intercepted by the alert defensive unit of the cops. A series of close calls and a counter-attack by Police FC saw William Mukibi leveling the score with a header in the 53rd minute.
Police FC seized the opportunity, taking the lead in the 69th minute through Osman Mutumba after a defensive lapse from Brian Ochwo who failed to clear the ball off his goal line. William Mukibi further extended the lead in the 73rd minute, securing a comfortable 3-1 advantage.
Refusing to back down, Water FC clawed one back in the 78th minute with a sensational close-range strike from Ibrahim Kitenda. Tactical changes by the Water FC bench saw Sydney Chika and Sadat Sewanyana coming on in the 80th minute, injecting new energy.
Sydney Chika’s impact was immediate, earning a penalty in the 84th minute. Joshua Aziku calmly converted, leveling the score once again. In the final moments, Water FC pressed for a late winner, but was denied a clear-cut penalty in the 93rd minute.
Post-match, Coach Viali Bainomugisha expressed his frustration with the officiation and identified the team’s lack of clinical finishing in the first half as a crucial factor in missing out on three points.
With five games played, Water FC boasts a record of three wins, one draw, and one loss. The stage is set for their next outing on Wednesday, 29th/2023, as they aim to apply the lessons learned and secure a triumphant victory. The drama in Kampala’s regional league continues to unfold, promising more excitement and unpredictable twists in the weeks to come.
