KCCA FC were 1-0 winners over Synergy FC in the first leg semifinal of the 44th edition of the Uganda Cup held at Masaka Recreation Grounds.
Patrick Henry Kaddu gave the defending Champions the advantage with a powerful 30 yard screamer off his left foot shot that got the entire stadium on its feet. Big credit to young left back Eric Ssenjobe for the 50 yard assist who was playing his second competitive game for the club.
Moments later, midfielder Sadam Juma’s goal bound freekick was saved by custodian Peter Lubega to deny the visitors from doubling their lead.
Tom Ikara, on the other hand made an acrobatic save to keep Oyirowth Douglas from drawing the tie level.
Defender Filbert Obenchan had a monster performance the entire game, denying Mbido Kalaga and Moses Kakooza twice in a space of three minutes when the two looked clear on goal.
As the game grew, KCCA FC got comfortable on unfamiliar playing surface. Solomon Okwalinga the architect of an amazing display from the hosts in the opening 45 minutes. The midfielder had a field day against his former employees beating them with ease and adding nutmegs to his display.
After recess, Steven Sserwadda was introduced for Solomon Okwalinga and the teenager immediately showed his amazing capabilities with top class passes, precision in decision making and out of this world dribbling skills.
At the hour mark, Obenchan showed individual brilliance, dashing forward and beating three markers but his final ball went inches over the cross bar.
Moments later Isaac Kirabira was then introduced for Sadam, the cameo winning every ball that came his way and easing work for Allan Okello and Derrick Nsibambi.
With quarter an hour to play, Sserwadda picked a loose ball from midfield beat three markers, nutmegged the keeper and passed to Nsibambi who scored but referee denied goal claiming the forward was offside.
On 90 minutes, Nsibambi dribbled past three opponents and shot towards goal, Lubega’s ball falling to Kaddu whose final ball went inches off the upright, the forward missing a clear-cut chance to take his goal tally in the competition to five.
0-1 the final score,
KCCA FC and Synergy FC will play the return fixture on Thursday 31st May at StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo, the winner over both legs will then play the Final in Kumi district on Saturday 9th June 2018.
KCCA FC Line Up
Ikara (GK), Obenchan, Okot (c), Ssenkobe, Magambo, Bukenya, Sadam (Kirabira), Okwalinga (Sserwadda) Okello, Kaddu, Nsibambi
Synergy FC Line Up
Lubega (GK), Ahimbisibwe, Zziwa, Agaba, Okello, Kalaga, Magandaazi, Yiga, Oyirwoth, Kakooza, Sazzi
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