Nkumba University emerged victorious against the International University of East Africa (IUEA), securing a comfortable 2-0 win at the beach Arena on Sunday evening.
The match was marked by intense competition, showcasing the determination of both teams to clinch the coveted second place in Group E, following their goalless draw in their earlier encounter in Kabalagala earlier this month.
The game kicked off with both teams displaying a hunger for victory, but it was Nkumba’s Kigongo Aaron who made the breakthrough.
Aaron expertly headed in a rebound from a Biko Bage freekick, sending the Nkumba University supporters into jubilation. The first half concluded with the beach boys in a commanding 1-0 lead, setting the stage for an exhilarating second half.
In the latter period, Nkumba University continued their relentless assault on the IUEA defense. The introduction of the dynamic striker, Mete Irivia, proved pivotal.
Irivia seized an opportunity, dispossessing the IUEA goalkeeper in his box, and calmly slotted the ball into the net, extending Nkumba’s lead to 2-0. The Beach Boys maintained their dominance until the final whistle, sealing a well-deserved victory.
Nkumba University’s head coach, Bbosa Sulaiman, praised his team’s exceptional performance, emphasizing the meticulous planning and strategic changes made after studying IUEA’s tactics.
“It was a good game; the boys played under instruction. We had studied the team in the first leg and made necessary adjustments. I’m very happy with the boys because we wanted the three points, and overall, it’s a great performance for the team,” Bbosa commented, expressing his satisfaction with his team’s achievement.
In contrast, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, the head coach of IUEA, expressed disappointment over his team’s lack of concentration, which he believed cost them the game.
“We wanted to get a win against Nkumba, but unfortunately, we conceded stupid goals. The players lacked concentration, and this is how we lost the game,” he remarked, reflecting on his team’s performance.
With this victory, Nkumba University solidified their position in second place with seven points, trailing behind St Lawrence University, who leads the group with nine points and a game in hand.
