Mbale Heroes failed to live to their preseason billing after sharing spoils with Kataka in their opening match of the 2023/24 betPawa FUFA Big League match played at the Mbale Municipal Stadium on Tuesday.
Heroes started the game with promising moves that lit up the stands but did not yield the results, allowing their derby rivals to settle down.
Kataka came close in the early exchanges as Latif Ssenkubuge weaved his way into the danger zones but could not go past Adrian Sserugo, who brought him down.
07:29 - 26.09.2023
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His pleas for a penalty were unsuccessful as the centee referee awarded a freekick on the 18-yard line, which was wasted.
Akiram Munyolo had another chance in the 19th minute when Lazarus Ocira brushed goalkeeper Solomon Okello's long ball, but the striker failed to control losing possession to the keeper.
From there on Mbale Heroes controlled the proceedings as Kataka depended largely in counterattacks through the wings which were eventually fruitless.
08:33 - 26.09.2023
'Young Elephants is the pride of Acholi region' - Captain
Young Elephants from Anaka, Nwoya District represents the Acholi sub-region in the 2023/24 FUFA Big League season.
Full Matchday 1 results;
Booma FC 0-0 Jinja North United
Ndejje University 3-4 Kaaro Karungi
Calvary 2-0 Kigezi Home Boyz
Blacks Power 1-0 Onduparaka
Kyetume 3-1 Kiyinda Boys
Mbale Heroes 0-0 Kataka
Police 2-1 Young Elephants