Final Day Result: Vipers 1-0 BUL F.C
The euphoria prior to, during and after Vipers’ 1-0 victory at their Buikwe fortress against Jinja side, Bul F.C evidently spoke volume.
Coming into this last fixture of the season, the champions elect were in typical celebratory moods.
Club president and former FUFA President, Lawrence Mulindwa had organized an overnight extravaganza where passionate club fans wined and dined without control with assured free entertainment courtesy of Uganda’s music star, King Saha of the famous ‘Gundeeze’ fame.
Come the match day, fans from near and far were handsomely rewarded with one gift – free entrance.
Indeed, they thronged the countryside stadium to catch the side that had only lost one fixture in 29 games.
In true fair play spirit of the game, the guard of honour by the visitors as the Vipers players majestically marched onto the playing area was as breathe taking and epic.
Despite missing the services of midfield dynamo, Michael Mutyaba and first choice goal keeper, Isma Watenga to injury, the 11 starting commandos were surely set for the target at hand – climax the season with a victory.
On menu was fluid passing of the ball for the two sides with Bul’s Faruku Wejuli Osama, Herbert Kakande and Hood Mayanja dictating the early terms of the opening quarter of action.
Vipers steadily picked up with the midfield trio of Kezironi Kizito, Faruku Miya and Vicent Kayizi taking over.
Bul F.C, themselves having relegated long time team skipper, Patrick ‘Crespo’ Asiku to the bench threaten to dampen the celebrations when Milton Kalisa had a goal bound effort tipped over by youthful goal keeper, James Ahlitho.
The home side took over the tide of the game after the half hour mark. Uganda U-23 skipper, Farouk Miya benefited from a quick interchange of passes between Mpande and Kezironi, which the latter released into space on the left.
Miya followed the ball from an acute angle and easily beat the advancing goal keeper, Franco Oringa for the only goal on the day.
The strike spark wild celebrations across stadium and the special pavilion had two special guests (current and former FUFA President) all share a smile for the goal’s joy.
Vipers held onto the goal till the final whistle of FIFA referee, Ali Mashoud.
A second club’s title since 2009/10 season under the bag evidently called for overnight celebrations from players, fans and club officials.
Vipers too smiled home with most individual awards given with Faruku Miya named the most valuable player and Edward Golola the best coach.
URA’s Robert Sentongo finished top scorer with 15 goals, one ahead of Police’s Umar Kasumba.
Vipers is now set to represent the country at the 2015/16 CAF champions league.
Reactions:
We played well all season and i believe we deserved this trophy
Edward Golola, Vipers Head coach
I am happy for this MVP crown. It is an inspiration to me in the football career
Faruku Miya, MVP of the league
Team Line Ups:(Shirt Numbers in Brackets)
Vipers F.C: James Ahitho (G.K), Deus Bukenya (12), Musa Mulumba (5), Dan Birikwalira (13), Yusuf Mukisa (6), Nico Wada Wadada (14), Vicent Kayizzi (07), Faruku Miya (10), Mbolimbo Mpande (20), Patrick Sembuya (24)
Subs: Halidi Lwaliwa (21), Julius Malingumu (23), Siraje Sentamu (22), Steven Luswata (19), Meddie Kibirige (1)
BUL F.C XI: Franco Oringa (G.K), Robert Achema (13), Osama Wejuli (10), Hood Mayanja (17), Tito Okello (3), Milton Kalisa (21), Hakim Magombe (6), Phillip Ssempira, Herbert Kakande (5)
Subs: Zakaliya Nsubuga (25), Asuman Bajampola (4), William Kayondo (22), Patrick Asiku (14), Ivan Lubaale (26), Herbert Odipio, Joshua Masene (23)
Changes: Herbert Odipio In, Hood Mayanja Out (BUL), Ivan Lubaale In, Farouk Osama Out (BUL), Julius Malingumu In, Vicent Kayizzi Out (Vipers), Siraje Sentamu In, Kezironi Kizito Out (Vipers)