BUL FC reached the quarter finals of the 2023-24 Stanbic Uganda Cup after a last 16 penalty shootout win over ten time winners Express, with substitute goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa saving one and then scoring the decisive spot kick following a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Lawrence Tezikya, Benon Tahomera and Ibrahim Kazindula also converted in the 4-1 victory for BUL on Sunday. The Red Eagles only managed to convert through John Asimwe.

With nearly one minute of the additional minutes left on the clock, Joel Mutakubwa was purposely thrown into the fray at FUFA technical centre, replacing his compatriot Tom Ikara between the uprights.

In full view of the Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put; Mutakubwa was up for the job as he reminded the world of his expertise at saving spot kicks by comfortably denying Marvin Oshaba. He also made himself too big in goal to force Isa Lumu to sky his kick before he showed them how it is done by dunking beyond Abdul Kimera to activate party moods in Njeru.

Chances were however few and hard to come by as either side failed to find the back of the net before the 85 minute mark.It was the Eastern Giants who consistently looked most likely to score in the first half, but a solid defensive display from the visitors kept the game barren at the break. Abdul Kimera came to Express’ rescue to keep out Lawrence Tezikya’s rocket in the 27th minute, and picked his spot well to deny Walter Ochora twelve minutes later.