Jinja Municipal Hippos came from behind to hold SC Villa on Sunday at the Kakindu stadium in Jinja.
The match was earlier embroiled in controversy over the venue with the hosts claiming to have informed the league secretariat to move the match to Njeru while the Jogoos refused because the communication was late. The league secretariat stood their ground.
Emmanuel Okwi drew the first blood at half hour completing a move orchestrated by Lwesibawa, Kizza and Kirya.
JMC Hippos had employed the 3-5-2 system, with their influential captain Musa Walangarira sacrificed for the fifth midfielder.
The hosts made two substitutions immediately after recess, introducing creative legs of Vianne Sekajugo and Jimmy Jalendo on both sides of the pitch. The impact was felt immediately when Vianne ran down the left, crossed to Bankene but his header rose above the target.
Another similar attack two minutes later ended up on Bankene who set up Musana but the powerful drive was saved by Kirya in goal and the rebound was blocked for a corner
The hosts’ relentless attacks finally paid off from the corner. Bankene beat his marker and headed the ball which was initially blocked but Musana finally nodded in.
Henry Katongole was later sent off after picking two cautions. The centre back elbowed Sekajugo after the tricky youngster had cleverly dummied him in the 55th. He was later expelled for trying to score with his hand from Kizza’s cross.
Okwi had another chance to double his tally in the 80th minute after running through the defense and hit a powerful shot which unfortunately rattled the crossbar.
JMC Hippos also blew their chance at the death of the game. Vianne, Jalendo and Bankene broke through a quick counter attack but the latter’s final shot was blocked by the keeper. Vianne collected the rebound but Slao shot direct to Kirya.
The jogoo fans later stormed the team bus to demand an explanation to the spate of poor results but were later cooled by the security men and players allowed to leave.