URA Football Club delivered a polished performance to storm into the quarterfinals of the 52nd Stanbic Uganda Cup following a convincing 3-0 triumph against Tapoh FC on Friday at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
Facing a determined Northeastern Regional League outfit, the tax collectors asserted their dominance with a blend of creativity, control, and clinical finishing to seal progression from the Round of 16.
The breakthrough arrived in the 33rd minute through Olimi Bitanywaine Nyarwa, whose delightful looping effort from the left flank caught goalkeeper Ismail Ajaru off guard and nestled into the back of the net.
URA carried that slender advantage into halftime after dictating much of the opening exchanges.
Tapoh, however, had moments of promise. Early in the contest, they nearly stunned the hosts, but a timely goal-line clearance from James Begisa denied them an unlikely lead. Despite their resilience, they struggled to contain URA’s sustained attacking pressure.
After the restart, URA maintained their intensity and doubled their lead in the 65th minute. Skipper Moses Aliro struck goalward, with his effort taking a heavy deflection off defender Joseph Okiror to wrong-foot Ajaru and extend the cushion.
Substitute Godfrey Ssekibengo then put the result beyond doubt with a spectacular volley from distance in the closing stages, capping off a dominant display by Hussein Mbalangu’s side.
Throughout the encounter, URA created numerous opportunities, with Moses Waiswa orchestrating play and delivering dangerous set pieces, while second-half substitute Denis Kisiriko came close with a header that rattled the crossbar.
Tapoh goalkeeper Ajaru remained busy between the posts, making several interventions to prevent the scoreline from escalating further, but he could do little to stop URA’s attacking wave.
The victory sees URA join holders Vipers SC, KCCA FC, Kitara FC, SC Villa, NEC FC, and surprise package Happy Boyz Kagaba in the last eight of Uganda’s premier knockout competition.
Attention now shifts to the final Round of 16 fixture scheduled for Friday evening at the same venue, where Express FC will take on Red Devo of Amolatar District to complete the quarterfinal lineup.
