The residents, the Jovoc fraternity, friends, families and well wishers were eager to see what level of football, control of non communicable diseases, strategic networking and organization lessons would be drawn from this much anticipated first outing of season 2.
As stage fright hit some teams involved in early kick-off matches, their members were seen making late calls and the Runyankore slogan "Murahi" was top on their agenda. The playground was marked in time, the music was set, match officials,first aiders and service providers were all ready for kick off.
The league welcomed debutants Amahome, Ntemi Chiefs, Abomutumba and off went Abazibu and Abachwezi.
At the start of the season when all teams were level on points, all teams had only title ambitions and no one thought of relegation. This is how the drama unfolded on the football ground.
Abaleni 1 vs Abakuubwa 0
Abakuubwa, JL Season 1 invincibles had been claiming for their guard of honor before kick off. This was a heavy metal type of football encounter with the youthful guys matching each other pound for pound. The defending champions were still in a celebratory mood. Winna, the golden glove winner was missing in goal for Abakuubwa and it was their Achilles’ heel and these were big shoes for Derrick to fill.
With Elgio recalled in a center back role alongside Steven, Mob and Kanyomozi, it denied them the tenacity and control of midfield. Abaleni's Kimich, Payet and Vet won the midfield battle and it took a free kick from Favor Mugisha to break Abakuubwa's hearts towards the end of second half to ensure they won't be invincibles for a second season in a row.
Abezekyenda 1 vs 0 Legends.
Legends prefer using the siege mentality to fool everyone that they are the most hated team in the league. Fresh from poaching Ababombo skipper Itamba, they were boos on the touchline even before kick-off from Ababombo fans. Abezekyenda have proved to be a bogey team for Legends. They were aggressive in duels and didn't allow Legends to build up any passing rhythm.
Last season's MVP Kansiime and Derrick were totally marked out of the game. Patrick was a happy man as a coach, Benji's overdribbling paid off this time as he set up Oscar for a later winner in favor of Abezekyenda. Abezekyenda nicknamed Draw FC started the season with a win - a sign of better things to come in season 2.
Abukyariire 2 vs 0 amajojo.
This was a testimony that matches are never won on paper. Amajojo thought Abukyariire were the league's punch bags so they rested their key players St Gregory and Ragz. It took a few minutes for Kakuru to set up Timothy's first goal for Abukyariire. More drama unfolded as Pastori made a late run in Amajojo's penalty box to set up Kakuru which gave Abukyariire a 2 goal lead.
The elephants panicked to bring on their key players but the damage was already done. As Abukyariire sat deep to frustrate the elephants, tempers rose, a career ending tackle from Amajojo's Gilbert and a retaliation kung-fu kick from Abukyariire's Kakuru ensured red cards for both players.
Ababombo 1 vs 1 Amahoome
Life without skipper Itamba began against debutants Amahoome. Posiano Agaba stepped into the former talisman's shoes. As he laid the foundation to score goals, his striking partner Guma was demolishing his foundation by clearing his goal bound shots.
Finally, Ababombo' s Victor threaded in a thru ball and Agaba gave it an aguero-esque finish to give Ababombo the lead. As Guma squandered chance after chance, it came back to haunt them. Arnold and Rasta failed to clear a loose ball in defense. Amahoome's Katatumba squared the ball to Anthony who equalized to deny Pius his clean sheet. In the end, both teams were happy for a point.
Abomutumba 4 vs 0 Abanihizi
Playing Abomutumba is like visiting the dentist, they out-possess their opponents and when they realize they have lapses in concentration, they lethally counter attack, shredding their opponents into pieces. Their orange jersey reminds one of the Dutch.
Skippers Alba and Rogers returned from the wilderness of Abazibu to spur their team with a big victory. Rogers scored a brace with a player of the week performance. Joseph and Mukuru completed the thumping as Alba, Nobert and Joseph assisted the goals. Abahinizi's Sapi was kept quiet and this meant Abanihizi had no goal threat. Jeremy and his boys were given a baptism of fire by the debutants and this meant they had to return on the drawing board asap.
Abakaawu 0 vs 0 Nsiikye saints
Debutants Abakaawu opened their season with a draw against Nsiikye Saints. Both teams were comfortable with a point as no team made an initiative to attack and win the game. It was a pleasure to see Hon Tusiime keeping a clean sheet. His look after the final whistle showed he enjoyed the stallment and he won't afford to miss any Jovoc League season in the near future.
Entumwa 0 vs 0 Abakachai
Entumwa are known for their aggressive physical game and Abakachai are known for their tiki taka total football approach. Both teams matched each other though the goal keeping heroics of Akachai's goal keeper Godfrey could not go unnoticed. Ampa with a man of the match display. Nil Nil it ended, no love lost no love found.
Solutions 1 vs 0 Emanzi
Solutions have shades of Tony Pulis' stroke 6fters.They are the most difficult side to break down in the league with Senkima, Dansby and Kakooza marshaling their defense.
Emanzi, reinforced by Abachwezi deserters and having relegation nightmares, opted to play safe. Towards the end of the game, one lapse in concentration when Emanzi defenders had gone to attack a long ball from Senkima found the feet of Kiga P who dribbled past Julio to release Collins who beat Emanzi's keeper with a low hard shot to give Solutions a lion's share of all 3 points at stake.
Enturi 3 vs 0 Ntemi Chiefs
If the JOVOC League was a chiefdom, guess who its custodians would be? Ha ha Ntemi Chiefs. The old men went head to head with last season's runners up, the young short guys of Enturi. The passing, running, dribbling and out-possesing of the ball by the short guys left the old chiefs in awe.
Last season's top scorer Mets opened the scoring and Abel joined him on the score sheet to set up Coleb, Raymond and Mets. The final whistle was a relief to the old chiefs, Rukundo Egumeho; they patted on the backs of the short guys of Enturi. The damage was already done.
Aboojo 0 vs 1 Basheya
This is a derby of the old geezers of the league. It is always played at the slowest tempo, no tackles flying in. Aboojo had bragging rights for last season but Basheya reinforced with opposer, a midfield signing from Abazibu who made the difference by limiting Aboojo's Micheal in midfield. Both teams seemed to be happy to play out for a draw till Basheya's Gilbert took matters in his hands, setting up Innocent for the only goal of the game that ensured Basheya's first win of the season.
Abukyariire 0 vs 3 Legends
Abukyarire vs Legends used to be a fiery derby but not any more. Legends have beaten Abukyariire since 2003. Abukyariire frustrated Legends in the first half but fatigue played a big part in the second half.
Derrick scored a brace and Kansiime wrapped up the score with a well taken goal.
Ababombo 1 vs 0 Amajojo
No Itamba, No problem.
It was the big man again, Possiano Agaba poking a long ball from Arnold to give all the 3 points to Ababombo.
Abomutumba 3 vs 0 Amahoome
The most entertaining team of the week took leadership of the table by thumping fellow debutants Amahoome.
Three quick fire goals from Nobert, Joseph and danger man Rogers ensured the 3 points. Alba, Joseph and Yiga laid on the assists.
Abakaawu 0 vs Abanihizi 0
Both teams were comfortable with a point and ended with it.
Basheya 0 vs 1 Nsiikye saints
Nsiikye Saints have squad length not depth. Most of their 40 players play for 2 minutes before they are subbed off. Medard laid off the ball that led to Rogers' penalty which he expertly converted to give the saints the win. The JOVOC League Technical Head Thomas Bwije was under immense pressure so he later came on in defense to secure the win in the dying minutes of the game.
Abezekyenda 0 vs 0 Abaleni
Two teams that shocked title contenders were comfortable to share the spoils in their last game
Entumwa 0 vs 0 Abakuubwa
Defending champions Abakuubwa were held to a goalless draw by Entumwa. Their slow start was evident and the problem was their attackers not finding the net but Entumwa were no pushovers either.
Abakachai 0 vs 0 Solutions
Abakachai wanted revenge having lost to Solutions on a rainy muddy pitch that ended their title ambitions but Solutions had a take no prisoners approach to frustrate the kawowo boys. In the end, the game ended - nil, nil.
Enturi 0 Vs 0 Emanzi
Mets and his attacking support cast of Raymond, Coleb, Osward and Able huffed and puffed but they could not find a way through Emanzi's defense well marshaled by captain fantastic Julio. Zero - zero was the final score.
Aboojo 2 vs 1 Ntemi Chiefs
The old men clashed in one of the final games. Ntemi's left back Musisi was a joy to watch and so was the influence of Aboojo's Micheal. Micheal and Firminus assisted Benja and Nuwagira's goals for Aboojo and Mukama Papa netted a consolation for Ntemi Chiefs.
See you on 28th for another action packed dossier of Jovoc League - Season 2.
