URA Football Club secured their place in the quarterfinals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tapoh FC on Friday at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
The Tax Collectors proved too strong for the Northeastern Regional League side, with goals from Olimi Bitanywaine Nyarwa, captain Moses Aliro Okabo, and substitute Godfrey Ssekibengo sealing a comfortable Round of 16 triumph.
URA started brightly and nearly took the lead in the 6th minute when Nyarwa forced Tapoh goalkeeper Ismail Ajaru into a fine save, tipping the effort over for a corner. Tapoh showed brief resistance and almost stunned the hosts in the 10th minute, but defender James Begisa cleared off the line to keep the score level.
The breakthrough arrived in the 33rd minute. Nyarwa produced a moment of brilliance, lofting a looping effort from the left flank over Ajaru and into the net to give URA a deserved halftime lead.
After the interval, URA maintained control and doubled their advantage in the 65th minute. Aliro’s strike deflected heavily off a Tapoh defender, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and finding the back of the net.
Substitute Ssekibengo put the result beyond doubt in the 75th minute with a stunning long-range volley from 25 yards, capping off an impressive performance from Hussein Mbalangu’s side.
Tapoh goalkeeper Ajaru remained busy throughout, making several saves to keep the scoreline respectable, but URA’s relentless attacking pressure proved decisive.
The victory sends URA into the last eight of the competition, keeping their hopes of silverware alive in this year’s Stanbic Uganda Cup.
