Saturday, April 16
•KCCA FC 1-2 Vipers SC
Vipers fought from down to beat rivals KCCA FC and gain more command in the title race of the 2021/22 Uganda Premier League log.
The loss, first for KCCA FC at Lugogo, leaves Morley Byekwaso’s side 12 points behind runaway leaders Vipers who have tightened their grip on a fifth title.
KCCA got a dream start when Denis Iguma headed in just after five minutes to send the home crowd in frenzy.
But the Venoms equalised before halftime through Cesar Manzoki who headed in from Yunus Sentamu for his 14th goal.
And Milton Karisa punished KCCA FC’s profligacy at the back to hand Vipers a lead just at the hour mark.
With six games to end the season, Vipers are all but six points away from being declared champions.
Vipers next six games include Gaddafi (H), Express (H), SC Villa (A), Wakiso Giants (A), Onduparaka (A) and Police (H).
Huge Statement Win
Vipers could have afforded to lose at Lugogo and go on to win the league but they showed that they are not willing to take chances.
And that speaks much about this team’s strength and confidence.
Going a goal down in the five minutes in an enemy territory, without your first choice goalkeeper, any team would have crumbled. But Vipers remained in character.
On any day, KCCA FC would have won this one – Not because they wanted it the most or they were at home, but they created the best chances.
Brian Aheebwa saw his acrobatic kick kept out after a good one-two with Ashraf Mugume while Sadat Anaku fluffed his keeper-to-beat chance.
KCCA FC will feel hard done after they were denied a penalty by referee Ali Sabira when Siraje Sentamu brought down Rogers Mato in the box.
But Vipers used their two chances.
Sentamu was given all the space to find Manzoki in the box, and the lanky forward faced less resistance from returning Peter Magambo to head past Benjamin Ochan.
They got their second goal in the second stanza; with KCCA FC failing to defend Halid Lwaliwa’s freekick for Karisa to find an opening.
Vipers are in strong position to add to their trophy cabinet that has four league titles won in 2010, 2015, 2017/18 and 2019/20.
The Venoms will are also in pole position to win the Uganda Cup and seal a double in Coach Roberto Oliveira’s first season in Kitende.
Players Used:
KCCA FC XI – Benjamin Ochan, Peter Magambo, John Revita, Herbert Achai, Ashraf Mugume, Denis Iguma, Hassan Jurua, Brian Majwega, Sadat Anaku, Brian Aheebwa, Rogers Mato
Ali Mwirusi, Innocent Wafula, Davis Kasirye, Arafat Usama, Elvis Mwanje, Charles Lwanga, Yasser Mugerwa
Vipers SC XI – Denis Kiggundu, Hilary Mukundane, Dissan Galiwango, Livingston Mulondo, Halid Lwaliwa, Siraje Sentamu, Milton Karisa, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Cesar Manzoki, Najib Yiga, Yunus Sentamu
Subs – Jack Komakech, Musa Ssali, Allan Kayiwa, Bright Anukani, Dan Sserunkuma, Paul Mucureezi, Karim Watambala
