Vipers parted ways with head coach Abudallah Mubiru last week because he was struggling to get results. Out of 13 games, Mubiru had only guided Vipers to just five wins, five draws and three defeats.
With just 20 points collected, Vipers were 11 points behind log leaders KCCA FC and his replacement, on interim basis, Richard Wasswa drew the first game against The Saints in Bombo.
On Tuesday against Soana at Kavumba, Wasswa will have Erisa Ssekisambu to thank for his header off Hassan Wasswa Mawanda’s free kick in the second half that gave Vipers something they needed to cool the pressure, the three points.
Vipers should have been in the lead much earlier in the first half, on three occasions. Brian Nkuubi should have given Vipers the lead, but lacked the cutting edge much as Soana looked shaky defensively.
Nkuubi’s header off Nicholas Wadada’s cross was calmly tamed by Soana’s custodian Godfrey Wakabu, another corner from Erisa Ssekisambu was sent to the skies wide by Nkuubi. His best chance was off Brian Kakaire’s cross from which missed the target by inches.
Not that Soana didn’t have their moments, Dan Sewava was left in yards of space with Vipers’ goalie Ismael Watenga, the later saved with a single right block to keep his team at bay.
Five minutes to the break, it was Ismael Watenga again whose reflex on the left kept out Allan Kayiwa’s shot with Vipers’ back line caught napping.
The game proved to be tough for Vipers’ interim manager Richard Wasswa to handle, his former boss Edward Golola who was watching from the opposite side of the pitch offered the necessary advice.
Edward Golola a two-time league winner with Vipers made endless phone calls to officials on the bench.
After 57 minutes, Vipers got the lead, Hassan Wasswa’s long free kick was miscalculated by Soana’s custodian Godfrey Wakabu, it was headed in goal by Erisa Ssekisambu before Tony Odur forced it into the net with his tummy.
Seven minutes to play for, Erisa Sekisambu shrugged off Soana’s defender Jonathan Mugabi, the former beat Godfrey Wakabu in goal but his effort hit the post as Soana searched for an equalizer.
The win takes Vipers to 24 points and in third position, eight behind KCCA FC who lead the league table.
Soana who have lost their second straight game drop to fourth and remain on 22 points.
