Pepsi UFL: IUEA’s Hassan Wasswa Impressed with His Boys’ Performance Despite Dropping Two points Late against Gulu
Pepsi University Football League
Thursday results:
Gulu University 1-1 IUEA
Despite losing two points at the death of the game, International University of East Africa (IUEA) tactician, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda is impressed with the performance of his boys on their league opener on road again Gulu University.
The game that was honored on Thursday at Gulu University grounds saw both sides sharing points of a one goal scoring draw.
Through Mubiru Abbey, IUEA got a lead as early as seven minutes into first stanza, the forward had a thunderbolt strike outside the box and the custodian had no chance to save the home side.
IUEA that looked an improved side compared to that of last edition, got another clear cut chance to stretched the lead in the same half but Samuel Justus effort was denied by Opoka Robert, Gulu’s custodian who forced the ball into a corner kick.
In the first half, Gulu got only one open chance, to which their forward, failed to utilize it it and the IUEA to the first 45 minutes advantage.
The Former Uganda Cranes Defender, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda charges, tried to maintain their lead with a play it cool mentality, slowing the game, Killing Gulu’s pace, the idea worked well until the hosts got a free kick with three minutes to the final whistle.
IUEA’S defence failed the clear Lakwech Joel well laid free kick into the box and substitute, Aaron Okot Junior picked a redundant ball in the box and put it at the back of the net to send fans into 89th minute celebration.
In the 4th minute of the added eight, IUEA got another golden opportunity to regain their lead but Athorbei Thou was put down in the penalty area before striking but the centre referee refused to award the penalty, a decision which was protested by the IUEA technical bench.
“We had a good game of the opening season and I am delighted with my boys, we have so many new boys in our University, boys from high school, they know what they want, unfortunately this is football, this is what happens when you play away, so we understand because these things happens in football, but we’re not losing focus, we are not moving away from our focus to qualify for the quarter finals, this is the beginning of IUEA, this is a new team, I promise these boys are going to do wonders, these boys are willing to fight for every minute and you have seen what they did today, so I am happy of these boys.” Says Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, head coach IUEA.
Lakwech Joel, the Gulu University skipper also happy with the point they grabbed late from IUEA.
“According to the way the game was, it wasn’t a bad one, it seems we started poorly, very sloppy at the backline but we later came back into the game, towards the end of the game, we were the better team but quite unfortunate that we didn’t take the maximum points but am very proud of my team mates.” Captain Gulu University.
The league will resume on Friday when Ki University taking on Uganda Christian University in Kumi.