Danito NSUBUGA
Record league champions SC Villa put behind last season’s final day heartache after they surrendered their table leadership to Vipers when they lost to URA at Muteesa II stadium.
Horrific scenes were replayed again at Wankulukuku on the 80th minute when substitute Bruno Bunyaga put URA in the lead with a free hearse to silence the hopeful Jogoo faithfuls.
Contrary to last season’s script, Umaru Lutalo sent a low thunderbolt out of no where and it beat Denis Otim the URA net minder in the 83rd minute.
Lutalo ‘s goal did not only restore belief in his teammates but also rose the spirits of the fans who woke up and encouraged their team to do more.
With 3 minutes left on the clock, captain Kenneth Semakula picked up a lose ball from Jonah Kakande ‘s attempt to fire home a rocket that neat Otim and hit the roof in the 87th minute.
Nothing later than that proved to be game management as the Villa players brought in time wasting tactics with injury after injury and ultimately saw off the 4 minutes added onto the game.
There was nothing to write home about save for the few opportunities wasted by Hakim Kiwanuka and Charles Lwanga.
Villa have also been assisted by results elsewhere as BUL failed to beat Mbarara at Kakyeeka and Kitara lost to Soltilo Bright Stars at Kavumba.
They currently top the log with 54 points, just one above BUL and Vipers. Kitara are in 4th with 51.