Mbalangu upbeat after URA end goal drought in Kitara draw

URA FC head coach Mbalangu struck an optimistic tone after his side ground out a hard-earned 1–1 Uganda Premier League draw against Kitara FC at the intimidating Royals Park in Butema on Thursday, a result that underlined his team’s growing belief and tactical maturity.

Norman Namanya struck in the 66th minute to level matters for URA.#StarTimesUPL | #KITURA pic.twitter.com/tOMYrml1v8

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Playing away from home against one of the league’s most consistent sides, URA showed resilience to deny Kitara a chance to climb to the summit of the Uganda Premier League, a point the Tax Collectors’ boss felt was richly deserved given the circumstances.

“This is a very tricky place to come and play, so we positively appreciate the point we collected here at Royals Park–Butema,” Mbalangu said after the final whistle. “I’m also happy for the boys because we managed to score after eight matches. That goal means a lot for the team and it gives us something to build on going forward.”

URA were forced to weather early pressure as Kitara FC dominated possession and struck first through George Ssenkaba in the 12th minute.

But despite conceding early, Mbalangu was encouraged by how his side stayed composed and stuck to their game model.

“The way the players are responding shows that the team is steadily adapting to our philosophy,” he added. “We are seeing improvement in our structure, our decision-making, and our mentality, especially in difficult moments.”

The coach admitted that URA’s defensive lapse for Kitara’s opener was avoidable, but insisted such moments are part of the game.

“The goal we conceded could have been avoided, but that’s football,” Mbalangu noted. “The important thing is how we reacted. We didn’t panic, we stayed in the game, and we managed to level matters.”

That equaliser arrived in the 66th minute through Norman Namanya, snapping URA’s scoring drought and shifting momentum in their favour.

Even after Kitara were reduced to ten men following Issa Lumu’s dismissal, URA remained disciplined rather than reckless, content to protect a result that could prove crucial in their survival push.
While the draw denied Kitara the chance to leapfrog leaders Vipers SC, it lifted URA to 13th place on 15 points, injecting fresh confidence ahead of their next fixture against Mbarara City.

For Mbalangu and his squad, the night in Butema may not have delivered maximum points, but it offered something just as valuable,belief that their season is finally turning in the right direction.