Ntugasaze FC 1-0 Mbarara City FC: Late Ssekajja Strike Seals Uganda Premier League Victory

Ntugasaze FC claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mbarara City FC in the Uganda Premier League on October 7, 2026, at the Ntugasaze Stadium. A second-half goal from Ibrahim Ssekajja proved the difference in a tense, tightly contested encounter that kept the home crowd on edge until the final whistle.

Match Overview

The match kicked off at 21:00 under the floodlights, with both sides eager to climb the Uganda Premier League standings. Ntugasaze FC started brightly, pressing high and forcing Mbarara City into early defensive errors. However, the visitors stood firm, with their experienced backline absorbing pressure and looking dangerous on the counterattack.

The first half ended goalless, but it was far from dull. Mbarara City's goalkeeper produced two smart saves to deny Ntugasaze's forwards, while the hosts' defensive midfield duo snuffed out several promising moves. The turning point came in the 67th minute when Ibrahim Ssekajja latched onto a loose ball inside the box and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.

Key Moments

• 12' — Ntugasaze's first real chance: a curling effort from the edge of the box is tipped over the bar.
• 34' — Mbarara City's best opportunity of the first half: a free-kick narrowly misses the far post.
• 67' — GOAL! Ibrahim Ssekajja pounces on a defensive mix-up and slots home from 12 yards.
• 78' — Mbarara City push forward, forcing a corner that is cleared off the line by Ntugasaze's captain.
• 90+3' — A last-ditch save from the Ntugasaze goalkeeper preserves all three points.

Tactical Story

Ntugasaze FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing control in midfield and quick transitions. Their full-backs pushed high to stretch Mbarara City's defense, and the midfield duo of Joseph Kiwanuka and Denis Ochieng dictated the tempo. Mbarara City, meanwhile, deployed a 4-3-3 system aimed at exploiting space behind the hosts' advanced full-backs. The visitors had spells of dominance but lacked a clinical edge in the final third.

After the goal, Ntugasaze dropped deeper, inviting pressure and looking to hit on the break. Mbarara City threw bodies forward, but the home side's defensive discipline held firm. The tactical battle was ultimately decided by Ntugasaze's ability to convert a half-chance and then defend their lead with composure.

Standout Players

Ibrahim Ssekajja was the hero, his well-taken goal highlighting his poaching instincts. Joseph Kiwanuka controlled the midfield with a 91% pass accuracy, while goalkeeper Samuel Odong made three crucial saves, including a stoppage-time stop that secured the win. For Mbarara City, Brian Aheebwa was a constant threat with his dribbling, but he lacked support in the box.

Uganda Premier League Table Impact

The victory lifts Ntugasaze FC into the top half of the Uganda Premier League standings, giving them momentum ahead of a tricky away fixture. Mbarara City FC remain in the lower reaches of the table and will need to address their scoring woes quickly. This result also improves Ntugasaze's head-to-head record against Mbarara City in recent meetings, a psychological boost for the remainder of the campaign.

With the season still in its early stages, both sides will take lessons from this encounter. Ntugasaze FC proved they can grind out results, while Mbarara City FC showed enough attacking intent to suggest better days are ahead if they can find their finishing touch.