Uganda's Onduparaka down Gor Mahia in friendly

KAMPALA

Kabon Livin and Gaddafi Anguzu ensured that Onduparaka will go into the Azam Uganda Premier League second round start on a winning note following the club’s 2-0 win over Gor Mahia on Saturday.

The pair combined a devastating effect for both goals as the high flying Arua based side condemned their high profile Kenyan visitors to defeat in a friendly game played on a wet Mandela National Stadium, Namboole pitch.

The club which is in its maiden topflight season has made its name as one of the most supported teams on the domestic scene with their brand of football and passionate fans capturing the imagination.

But while they were never able to fill the 42,000 stadium, the team’s endeavour left a good impression ahead of Wednesday’s league game against Proline at Lugogo.

After dominating the early exchanges, Onduparaka took the lead on the stoke of half time when the enterprising Anguzu, popularly known as Gadinho had his free kick spilled by Kenyan goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch.

Kabon was on hand to stab home the rebound for Onduparaka to take a deserved half time lead.

Gor Mahia, 15 time league winners on the Kenyan league were not without their chances though and could have been level had it not been for two desperate goal-line clearances.

In a game watched by a number of opposition political leaders including Kizza Besigye, Onduparaka perhaps overzealous for a friendly game, doubled their lead after the hour mark.

A minute after right back Gasper Adriko was shown a second yellow for time wasting, a delightful pass from the diminutive Anguzu opened up the Gor Mahia defense for Kabon to round the goalkeeper and slot in the second.

And despite some late pressure from the visitors, amplified by the introduction of Gor Mahia’s Ugandan born Rwandan forward Meddie Kagere, Onduparaka held on much to the delight of the partisan crowd.