Tuesday 21st February
Blacks Power 0-2 Busoga United
UPDF 1-1 BUL
Vipers 0-0 Wakiso Giants
Vipers continued to fire blanks after opening their UPL Second Round campaign with a goalless draw against Wakiso Giants at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
The Venoms who ended the first round with a 1-0 away to defeat against Busoga United, have stretched the dry run to six games – Four of which have come under new coach Beto Bianchi – across all competitions.
The spell include two Uganda Cup games and as many CAF Champions League games.
And against Wakiso, they once again had nothing to show besides a point despite the late surge.
Desire Tety came closest after a good interplay with Yunus Sentamu, but the Congolese rattled his effort into the side net.
Najib Yiga shot direct at the goalkeeper while Ibrahim Orit wasted a freekick when he fired over.
Karim Watambala and Bright Anukani both went for power earlier in opening exchanges, but failed to find the target.
The Visitors stood firm, with a centre-back paring of Ambrose Arinda and Paul Willa, the latter a former Vipers captain, fending off resistance.
The result increases pressure for Coach Beto, and leaves a lot of questions ahead of their CAF Champions League home game against Simba SC.
Pressure Mounting On Beto
It’s early to criticize a coach who has been with the team for just weeks.
But at Vipers, Beto must have been told that he was going into a hot seat.
A period of 450 minutes without seeing his team score a goal is not a good report card.
Club President Lawrence Mulindwa left the game before the final whistle, and that’s not a good sign of what is to come.
There were no good chances of note created by Vipers, and new striker Karim Ndugwa was left frustrated up front before he was taken off at the break.
Milton Karisa also failed to impact the game in a way he would have wanted while Yunus Sentamu who scored four in a 5-0 win against this opponent last season, lacked the hunger.
Games are coming in thick and fast, and the Venoms have few days to prepare for a big game against Simba SC in CAF Champions League.
Big Point For Wakiso Giants
Wakiso Giants coach John Ayala Luyinda will be a good contender for the coach of the season, especially for the kind of football his side displayed in the first round of the season.
His side lacked that flair against Vipers, as it was against KCCA, a style that won many fans hearts.
You can blame that on missing key players including Titus Ssematimba and Moses Aliro, not do mention Ibrahim Kasule who is no longer at the club.
He played with three central midfielders in Lawrence Bukenya, Rahmat Ssenfuka and Tom Masiko, and that limited their creativity going forward.
And they continued to struggle when Vipers switched to a back three when they threw in more bodies up front.
They has some good moments in the game, but their chances were rare and far apart.
But they could have won it late only for Shariph Kimbowa to skew a glorious opportunity.
This result was built on defensive discipline, but their attacking and free-flowing game which was not at display on Tuesday.
Picking a point at the home of a champion is something they should celebrate, and will hope to build on that in future games.
Players Used
Vipers – Alfred Mudekereza, Hillary Mukundane, Ashraf Mandela, Livingston Mulondo, Murushid Juuko, Siraje Sentamu, Bright Anukani, Karim Watambala, Milton Karisa, Karim Ndugwa, Yunus Sentamu
Wakiso Giants – Samson Kirya, Grant Masiko, Alex Komakech, Paul Willa, Ambrose Arinda, Lawrence Bukenya, Tom Masiko, Rahmat Senfuka, Frank Ssebuufu, Hassan Ssenyonjo, Mikidad Ssenyonga
