We stormed into our second-ever quarter-final in the Stanbic Uganda Cup with a commanding 2-0 victory over Lugazi FC this afternoon.
Quick fire!
A clinical first-half double from Gideon Odongo and Samuel Ssekamatte sealed the tie early, allowing us to manage the game comfortably and progress with authority—extending our remarkable unbeaten run to 14 games while maintaining an incredible 11 clean sheets in that impressive sequence.
We wasted no time asserting dominance. Just six minutes in, Hakim Wandera whipped in a superb corner from the right, and Gideon Odongo rose highest to power a thunderous header past the Lugazi goalkeeper for the opening goal – 1-0, 6′.
The lead was doubled in the blink of an eye. Two minutes later, Emmanuel Kulanga produced a moment of vision with a precise pass, and Ssekamatte made no mistake, finishing coolly to make it 2-0 (8′). The quickfire brace stunned the visitors and set the tone for what became a controlled performance.
At the break, we were firmly in the driving seat, having limited Lugazi to minimal threats while creating further opportunities. In the 38th minute, Tonny Atukunda tested the Lugazi keeper with a shot that was well saved, keeping the margin intact.
The second half
The second half saw us make tactical adjustments to see out the result. Right after the restart, a double substitution introduced fresh legs: James Jarieko and Allan Mugalu replaced Ssekamatte and Kulanga (46′). The changes kept our energy high and control intact.
Chances continued to come. At 55′, Jarieko met another well-weighted corner from Wandera with a header that was brilliantly cleared off the line. Moments later, he went agonizingly close again, nodding just inches over the bar from a promising position.
Defensive solidity remained key. A further double change around the hour mark saw Marvin Kavuma and Siraje Sentamu come on for Kagawa Ssenoga and Shamir Kimwero (63′). Tonny Atukunda picked up a yellow card in the 71st minute for a tactical foul, but we faced no major alarms.
Our final roll of the dice came in the 83rd minute, with Innocent Media replacing Richard Basangwa to close out proceedings.
We defended resolutely thereafter, frustrating any Lugazi attempts to mount a comeback and securing yet another clean sheet in a disciplined display.
This hard-earned progression marks our return to the Stanbic Uganda Cup quarter-finals for only the second time in the club’s history a huge milestone as we continue our cup run with unstoppable momentum, backed by our rock-solid defensive record and extended unbeaten streak.
What next
In the cup, we await the draws as we head into the break and wait for when the league resumes in April when we host URA FC.