Kitara FC left it late but made it count, snatching a dramatic 2-1 victory over Lugazi in a tense Uganda Premier League encounter in Najjembe on Saturday.
After a run of frustrating results, the Royals showed resilience and composure when it mattered most, capitalising on a numerical advantage in the closing minutes to seal all three points through substitute Muhammad Shaban.
The visitors had earlier taken control midway through the first half when Patrick Henry Kaddu powered in a header from a well-delivered Gaddafi Wahab free kick, giving Kitara a deserved lead after sustained pressure.Lugazi, however, refused to fold in front of their home fans.
Their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when Paul Busolo reacted quickest inside the box to slot home the equaliser, setting up a nervy finale.
The match swung dramatically moments later. Lugazi captain Richard Ayiko, already on a booking, was dismissed after hauling down Edson Agondeze during a quick Kitara counterattack—an incident that followed loud appeals for a penalty at the other end, waved away by referee Lucky Kasalirwe.
Reduced to ten men at a crucial stage, Lugazi struggled to contain the late onslaught. Deep into stoppage time, Kitara found their breakthrough. A long ball forward caused confusion in the Lugazi defence, and after Agondeze helped it on, Shaban reacted instinctively to fire home the winner and spark celebrations on the Kitara bench.
The victory lifts Kitara back into third place on 51 points, level with KCCA, while Lugazi remain in the lower reaches of the table on 20 points, left to rue a costly late collapse.
