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A rejuvenated UPDF FC recorded an important victory over Gaddafi FC to end their 13-game run without a win in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and ease the pressure on boss Brian Sseyondo.
Katende Ezekiel, Ambrose Kigozi and Okello Donato were on target to gift the Army men maximum points and end their winless run. Brian Kalumba had Gaddafi’s consolation.
The Army side had last secured a victory last year against Soltilo Bright Stars in a game that ended 2-1.
To the game on Tuesday at the Gaddafi Arena in Jinja, UPDF scored from arguably their first attempt at goal as Ezekiel Katende curried his freekick into the top corner after he was fouled just outside the area by Naziri Sserwada in the 10th minute.
Few moments later, Ivan Ahimbisibwe had a chance to put his side 2-0 up but failed to find the target after being setup by Katende.
Gaddafi’s first realistic attempt at goal came in the 15th minute and fell to Seif Baate but he was denied by Andrew Waiswa who parried the looping ball onto the crossbar.
The crossbar was rattled again in the 29th minute by Alex Kitata who rose highest to head a Naziri cross.
After various enormous attacks on the UPDF back line, Kalumba finally levelled matters for Gaddafi with a good strike that resulted from a long Franco Onen pass.
Before the break, both side had a chance to go ahead but failed to capitalize. Ibrahim Wammanah headed wide for the visitors while Jamaldeen Buchochera did the same the other end for the hosts.
The game went into the break with score tied at 1-all, but seven minutes into the second half, the Army Side went ahead again with Ambrose Kigozi running onto Ahimbisibwe’s headed flick to easily beat off goalkeeper Magada Abdul and find the back of net.
Before the hour mark, midfielder Okello Donato made it 3 for UPDF after pouncing onto a loose ball to send in a ferocious shot past Magada.
With 8 minutes left on the clock, Gaddafi almost made it 3-2 but goalkeeper Waiswa quickly went down to parry away Franco Onen’s freekick.
At the end, the game ended 3-1 in favour of UPDF who came into the game winless in 13.
With the vital victory, UPDF climb to ninth position on the log with 27 points garnered in 23 game. They are level on points with Gaddafi FC who sit eight.
