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Defender Rashid Okocha’s goal in added time handed the Caterpillars a vital three points just for the second time this season, giving them a lifeline in their fight for survival.
StarTimes Uganda Premier League strugglers Onduparaka FC grabbed a stunning 2-1 victory against Gadaffi FC at the Green Light Stadium in Saturday's lunnchtime kickoff.
Defender Rashid Okocha’s goal in added time handed the Caterpillars a vital three points just for the second time this season, giving them a lifeline in their fight for survival.
Both sides have endured a differing season so far. While it is likely to end in a mid-table finish for Wasswa Bbosa’s Soldier Boys, the situation is still dire for Onduparaka.
Steven Bogere is performing miracles slowly with the Caterpillars, with his new recruits William Gamma – voted man of the match, Dominic Abonga and Ezra Bida proving their pedigree early on pinning Gadaffi back from the start.
Despite their recent woes, the hosts flew out of the blocks and reaped rewards for their strong start, Bida putting them ahead inside 15 minutes with a clean finish from the centre of the penalty area.
The combination of Bida and Gamma overpowered Gadaffi’s midfield forcing Wasswa Bbosa into an early substitution withdrawing Mahad ‘Yaya’ Kakooza for Steven Munguchi after only 22 minutes.
Wasswa Bbosa should have laid into many of his players during the halftime break, also reacting by withdrawing Brian Kalumba and introducing Frank Mulimi as the second half resumed.
That sparked the visitors into life and looked to threaten for the first time in the game, and seven minutes into the second half, they drew level from a well-constructed and executed move.
Johnson Odong played the most crucial role in the build-up to the goal with his dummy over Mulimi’s pass setting up Munguchi. The midfielder controlled well before curling his effort into the top left corner.
Gadaffi’s equaliser didn’t deter Onduparaka, and Bogere’s team once again looked the stronger side, specifically after the introduction of Denis Ojara and Ivan Ssekazza.
Ssekazza had two penalty appeals waved off by the referee, while Ojara’s power and direct play provided Bida with more space to run in and dictate play.
Bida drew a top save from Joel Mutakubwa, while Abonga drilled his shot just wide of the upright.
Onduparaka’s relentless efforts paid off in the second minute of added time when Okocha’s low shot fizzled through Mutakubwa’s legs at the near post to send the stadium into ruptures.
The result takes Onduparaka’s points tally to 10, two points away from safety, while Gadaffi remains in eighth place, on 22 points.
Onduparaka’s immediate task will be in the Stanbic Uganda Cup where they play the winner between SC Villa and BUL FC before visiting Express at the Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.
With Gadaffi out of the Uganda Cup, their next opponent is Express as well on March 19, at the Gadaffi Arena in Jinja.
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