Sinan RAJUB SENOGA
Joel Mutakubwa once again came off the bench in the stoppage time to inspire BUL FC to a penalty shoot out victory, this time around against Express FC in the Stanbic Uganda Cup round of 16 encounter at Njeru.
The game ended 1-1 at full-time and Mutakubwa was brought on in the final minute to replace Tom Ikara and subsequently inspired the Abbey Bogere Kikomeko coached side to a 4-1 win in the shoot out.
During normal time, it was a closely contested affair with both sides posing an even share of threats only to be denied by Ikara and Abdul Kimera the Express goalkeeper.
Against the run of play, Ibrahim Mugulusi broke the deadlock in the 86th minute with a perfect volley from a well-weighted Nicholas Mwere cross.
Express who were playing their first game without Alex Isabirye, unexpectedly fought back and got a deserved equalizer in the 89th minute as second half substitute Edgar Katumba headed perfectly from John Asimwe’s brilliant corner kick.
As the game headed for a shoot out, Bogere Kikomeko played a masterstroke as he brought on his penalty shoot out hero Mutakubwa who walked on the pitch majestically and confidently but aware of the task at hand.
It should be remembered, Mutakubwa single handedly won the FUFA Super 8 after saving three penalties in a shoot out final against URA FC at the start of this season.
He had also pulled off another remarkable performance in a shoot out against SC Villa in the semi final of the Super 8 by saving two penalties.
In this one, Mutakubwa gave BUL FC an advantage after he calmly saved Marvin Oshaba’s penalty.
Isa Lumu blasted his penalty over the bar while John Asiimwe scored the only penalty for Express.
Lawrence Tezikya, Benon Tahomera, Ibrahim Kazindula and Mutakubwa himself, scored in that particular order to send BUL FC to the quarter finals.
Northern Regional League side Pajule Lions and Uganda Premier League leaders Kitara FC are other sides who have already qualified for the quarters with the latter edging SC Villa 2-0 in Masindi in another Sunday afternoon kickoff.
