FWSL: Last Season’s Woes Continue to Haunt Rines, Bows to Martyrs Again
By: Uwizera Plan
_Result:_ Uganda Martyrs 2-0 Rines FC.
Another poor start for Rines SS Women Football Club in the FUFA Women’s Super League 2022/23 season that kicked off over the weekend.
Uganda Martyrs Ladies team started off the 2022-2023 FUFA Women Super League (FWSL) journey on a high note after registering a convincing 2-0 win against Rines FC in a match that was played at the St Gerald playground on the evening of Sunday 18th, September 2022.
Nakacwa Kevin’s penalty and Brenda Muyana’s close range finish in the 16th and 41st minutes respectively were enough to hand the victory to the Lubaga-based side and started fresh miseries for the Namusera based side.
After losing Esther Naluyimba in midfield and Anita Namata on their striking line, one would have thought that it was going to be difficult for Martyrs to create chances and score goals.
However, proceedings on the day were largely a different story, as the new duo of Immaculate Nankajako and Kevin Nakacwa made everyone forget about Naluyimba, with the combination upfront of Sumaiya Nalumu and Brenda Muyana also making Martyrs look more organized and reliable in front of the goal.
Kevin’s penalty resulted from a foul on Catherine Nagadya, all thanks to Sumaiya Nalumu who did all the ‘donkey work’ of playing the ball straight through the Rines defence, with all the defenders failing to control it, and thus committing a foul on Catherine who was making a run for the ball.
Brenda’s goal, yet again, was started off by a build up from Sumaiya Nalumu, who got the ball from Jakie Mbekeka Nambasa, and then playing it to Catherine Nagadya who was in the right position, who then passed it to Brenda to score from close range.
Rines’ miseries could have worsened if not for Brenda missing what would have been the third goal for her team and her second, with the ball just ‘kissing’ the goal post.
In the second half, Rines looked a totally different team, creating a few potentially goal scoring chances, including getting a foul on their player, Moureen Nankinga, in the Martyrs’ box by Esther Namusoke, but the Martyrs goalkeeper, Sharon Kaidu comfortably saved Eva Naggayi’s effort from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute.
After that, there was nothing much to report about in terms of attacking returns from either side, with the only highlight being an injury to Rines’ Joan Namusisi in the concluding stages of the game.
The win for Martyrs confirmed that in three meetings, Rines failed to score in the net of the Kiddawalime girls.
In other match day one results, Olila beat Lady Doves 1-0, Kampala Queens humbled Asubo-Gafford by 5-0 at Kabojja while the opening fixture saw She Makerere and She Corporate sharing points after a one all draw at Makerere.
_Uganda Martyrs Lineup:_
Sharon Kaidu, Esther Namusoke, Patience Nabulobi, Rebecca Nandhego, Jakie Mbekeka, Immaculate Nakanjako, Shamusa Najjuma, Sumaiya Nalumu, Kevin Nakacwa, Catherine Nagadya, Brenda Muyana.
_Rines FC Lineup:_
Joan Namusisi, Betty Nakubulwa, Haliati Kauda, Catherine Wujja, Shadia Nakiwala, Eva Naggayi, Yuster Kayesu, Shakira Nalule, Maureen Nankinga, Juliet Kisakye, Patricia Nakato.