Hudson Mbalire Denies SC Villa Maximum Points in Stalemate affair.
SC Villa’s hopes of bouncing back from their recent loss to Kitara were dashed as Hudson Mbalire struck to secure a 1-1 draw for Wakiso Giants at the Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium. The result leaves Villa in 8th place with 21 points, while Wakiso Giants remain 14th in the relegation zone.
Villa Takes Early Lead
The defending champions looked set for a positive outing when David Owori delivered a pinpoint cross into the box in the 24th minute, finding an unmarked Aslam Semakula, who expertly headed in the opener. Villa continued to dominate possession, but their inability to kill off the game proved costly.
Mbalire’s Equalizer Sparks Wakiso Giants’ Comeback
Wakiso Giants, desperate for points to escape the drop zone, found an opening through Timothy Oyamo, who was a constant menace on the wing. His cross was misjudged by Norman Angufindro, bouncing off the crossbar and falling kindly to Hudson Mbalire, who made no mistake in slotting home the equalizer.
The Giants nearly stole the victory in the 77th minute when Rahmat Ssenfuka won possession from Villa’s Sekiganda. After a swift exchange with Mulamba, Mbalire found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but failed to capitalize, sending his effort wide.
Key Performances and Tactical Takeaways
- Wakiso Giants’ goalkeeper James Alitho was crucial, often coming off his line to sweep behind a high-pressing defense.
- Moses Oloya, the former Vietnam-based midfielder, was introduced in the 82nd minute, adding more experience to Wakiso’s midfield.
- SC Villa failed to capitalize on their early dominance, while Wakiso Giants showed resilience to fight back for a crucial point.
The draw keeps Villa struggling for consistency, while Wakiso remains in a precarious position in the relegation zone as they battle for survival.