Mayanja’s early strike sinks Villa as Maroons tighten grip on Luzira fortress

Maroons FC delivered a disciplined and determined performance to edge SC Villa 1–0 in a tense StarTimes Uganda Premier League clash on Saturday at the Prisons Grounds in Luzira.

The game exploded into life almost immediately. With barely a minute played, Ivan Mayanja struck the decisive blow, calmly steering home from Mujahid Ogama’s delivery after just 57 seconds. The early breakthrough rattled a Villa side that began the afternoon level on 17 points with KCCA, Vipers and Police at the summit of a tightly packed table.

Still reeling from the early concession, the Jogoos found themselves dragged into a chaotic first half. The contest boiled over in the 39th minute when Maroons goalkeeper Simon Tamale and Villa’s Geofrey Lubanga Kene were both shown red cards after an altercation sparked by Tamale kicking a Villa player.

With their shot-stopper off, Maroons quickly sacrificed forward Ivan Asaba for substitute goalkeeper Matovu Hassan in the 42nd minute. Despite the sudden reshuffle, Matovu stood tall.

The stand-in keeper, thrust unexpectedly into the spotlight, remained unbothered by Villa’s second-half push.

SC Villa turned to their bench for inspiration, introducing Patrick Jonah Kakande, Tonny Atukunda and three more fresh legs to ignite their attack.

But Maroons managed the rhythm superbly. Midfielder Muyomba expertly slowed down proceedings, breaking Villa’s momentum and frustrating the visitors’ attempts to penetrate an increasingly resolute back line.

Though Villa mounted sustained pressure towards the end, Maroons refused to crack, holding firm to secure a vital home victory that extends Villa’s winless run in Luzira a stadium they last celebrated at in 2019.

The victory lifts Maroons into the top half of the table on 12 points, while Villa remain stranded on 17 and risk surrendering ground to rivals KCCA and Vipers, who both have games in hand.

For his match-clinching strike and tireless work, Ivan Mayanja deservedly walked away with the Man of the Match award.