When the referee kicked off the game, Elimu playing as a lone striker curled up a long effort towards Busitema’s goal. It went wild but it showed that the IUEA lions were not to be underestimated as the talk before the game had predicted. It showed confidence from coach Latim boys.
The game started lively with both teams trying to break the deadlock. Busitema University confident of the fine form of the home pitch opened the scores through an Otim Geoffrey free-kick at the 13th minute of the game. The keeper could have done better to save it but the pitch was tricky and the ball slid through his gloves, by the time he turned eyes to the pitch, the yellow jerseys were crowding his corner side celebrating what they believed to be the first of many goals that were to come but Alas! they were wrong.
The pitch was in poor conditions due to little termite hills all over it but surprisingly it wasn’t causing any issues for the IUEA lions except the slip up that led to Busitema’s first goal, IUEA quickly responded and were at levels at the 15th minute through Elimu Daniel. This was another keeper blunder and the goal looked exactly like Busitema’s.
IUEA kept on causing problems to Busitema’s defence, dominating in possession and aerial balls. At the 26th minute, Suudi Abraham , the star of the competition playing on the left side, crossed towards Busitema goal and the ball found Elimu Daniel who fired a half volley past Busitema goalkeeper. The celebrations were even more marvellous as the players joined by the bench ran towards the IUEA open up on the side pitch and danced around it, making a statement that IUEA were here to colour Busitema University and Tororo white and maroon. The home fans were quiet and stunned; Latim boys kept on pressing and almost scored the 3rd goal towards the end of the first half.
As mother nature was showing signs that it was about to rain cats and dogs during halftime, the second half started with both teams attacking and opening up plays. Busitema started to dominate more especially in the midfield and twice came close to scoring but were denied by the IUEA keeper. As the heavy rain had started to pour, Saudi, who had pulled off the man of the match performance, got on the score sheet after scoring perhaps the goal of the tournament. He got past 3 players and fired a volley towards the 90 degrees of the goal post, Busitema’s keeper had no chance at it and the ball was in. This was his 3rd goal in 2 games; he lifted IUEA morale that the win was in sight. Busitema now 2 goals down was demoralised but never gave up. The rain mixed with winds became too much and forced the officials to temporarily hold the game. 20 something minutes later, the sky opened up and rain reduced, the game continued, this time, Busitema university attacking from all fronts dominating the midfield and missing goals in the mix. The IUEA defence and especially the keeper kept on the resistance denying them chances. At the 78th minute however the resistance was broken and Busitema scored what would be a consolation goal through Sanya Vincent but it was not enough to rescue a point for them, IUEA won the game 3-2.
This was the first time that IUEA Lions had successively won 2 games in a row in the university league and coach Latim surely couldn’t hide his happiness
‘’The boys trained well and as you could see we linked up the play better than our opponents, we are happy for the 3 points, I am happy for the results and I want to thank my players and the entire technical team for the perfect result, the university management also for the overwhelming support, and our students who travelled this far, to come and support us here, our aim is to win as many games as possible’’ Coach Latim after the game.
IUEA now leads with 6 points and next Host Uganda Martyrs University at IUEA ground.
Also, Tororo is a beautiful city and the hospitality was awesome, the student who travelled to support the team had an adventurous journey, everywhere the bus passed, they felt our presence and the roar of the lions. We could confidently say that we found Tororo yellow and green but we left it white and maroon. We expect more Tororans to join and continue winning with us. Admissions are open!
WE ARE IUEA Lions!
By: Ericks Luckas SHYAKA
