Seven-star Okwi sends Villa top

Kampala.

Seven in seven, wow! That’s the kind of impetus that striker Emmanuel Okwi has provided to lift SC Villa to the summit of the Azam Uganda Premier League.

Yesterday, on a poor Champions Stadium pitch in Mwerwere that was worsened by rain that forced a delayed kick-off, Okwi’s 64th minute volley set Villa on their way to a 2-0 victory over The Saints.

The striker’s tally is seven goals in seven games having bagged the season’s second hat-trick in Sunday’s 4-1 rout of Onduparaka.

Villa, seeking to their 16 league titles, the last of which came in 2004, leapfrogged KCCA to assume top spot with 44 points albeit playing three games more than the champions.

“Pitch was bad so we knew we had to shoot at every opportunity,” Okwi, seeking to rebuild his rather stagnant career after rejoining Villa in mid-season from Denmark, said after the game. “Ball fell into my path and I am just glad it went in. (This is a) very important victory on a bad pitch that we hope will be key at the end of the season.”

Defender John Adriko got the second as coach Wasswa Bbosa’s stole the thunder from Express’ high-scoring 4-3 win over visiting Police at Wankulukuku to move into sixth on 30 points.
After Yasin Mugabi gifted Mahad Kakooza a goal by not covering his near-post, the Red Eagles cruised into a 3-0 lead inside 42 minutes, illuminated by Simon Sserunkuma’s brilliant left-foot strike off the right.

Allan Kyambadde bagged a brace, the same tally managed by Police’s Michael Birungi.

Hood Kaweesa’s tame header beat goalkeeper Emmanuel Opio for a tense finish after Express had led 4-1.

With their first leg encounter ending in a 3-all draw at Kavumba, Express-Police has served 12 goals this season.

AUPL results yesterday
Express 4-3 Police
The Saints 0-2 SC Villa
Soana 1-1 JMC Hippos
BUL 2-0 Bright Stars
Sadolin 0-0 Lweza