‎KCCA drop to third after gritty draw with Maroons in scorching Luzira heat

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‎KCCA FC were held to a goalless draw by Maroons FC in a tightly contested Uganda Premier League encounter played under scorching conditions at Maroons Stadium, Luzira.
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‎Despite making several tactical changes and pushing for a late winner, the Cityzens were unable to break down a resolute Maroons defence.
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‎The draw leaves KCCA FC third on the table with 27 points, level with Police FC and Vipers SC but trailing on head-to-head results.
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‎The first half was largely defined by physical play and the demanding heat. KCCA FC carved out the better early chances, with Sammy Ssebaduka winning a dangerous free kick in the 25th minute after being fouled on the edge of the area. Herbert Achayi stepped up but curled his effort just over the crossbar.
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‎Moments later, Ivan Ahimbisibwe missed a golden opportunity from close range, firing wide with the goalkeeper beaten. As temperatures continued to rise, the referee called for a cooling break in the 29th minute to allow players to rehydrate.
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‎After the restart, the contest grew more aggressive. KCCA defender Fillbert Obenchan was shown a yellow card in the 38th minute following a foul on Maroons winger Asaba, as the hosts searched for an opener before halftime. The sides went into the break deadlocked at 0-0.
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‎KCCA’s technical bench reacted after recess, making a double substitution as Brian Jjara and Derrick Nsibambi replaced Saidi Mayanja and Ashraf Mugume. The changes injected energy, but clear-cut chances remained hard to come by.
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‎Alex Yiga was introduced for Shafik Kwikiriza in the 65th minute, while a second cooling break followed in the 70th minute. In a final push for victory, Emmanuel Anyama and Rogers Mugisha were brought on for Ahimbisibwe and Ssebaduka.
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‎The Cityzens came closest late on, with Mugisha and vice-captain Achayi both seeing efforts sail narrowly wide. Maroons, however, remained disciplined at the back. A late yellow card for Dickson Niwamanya in the 87th minute gave KCCA FC set-piece opportunities, but they failed to convert.
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