- Express 0-0 Vipers
One of the most eagerly-awaited clashes of the Uganda Premier League season turned into a major letdown as Express and Vipers nullified each other in a largely undistinguished goalless draw at Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku on Friday.
After all the hype preceding the battle between the two rivals, Express’ coach Matia Lule was left happier than his counterpart Richard Wasswa as the hosts doused Vipers’ acclaimed attacking prowess.
Without Tony Odur and Ibrahim Kayiwa on the team, Wasswa continued with Milton Kariisa as the lead striker flanked by Erisa Ssekisambu and Brian Kakaire.
But he was left isolated for more parts of the game as both sides failed to create any meaningful scoring chance.
In the first half, Express came closest to scoring but Farouk Matovu couldn’t keep his effort on target after a ball from the corner found him unmarked in the area.
In the second half, Sserumaga was replaced by Keziron Kizito for Vipers and later Alfred Leku went on for the limping Kakaire.
It gave the visitors some time to possess the ball but without breaking the reluctant hosts’ backline manned by Senkoomi.
Later in the game, Kariisa got arguably the best chance of the game after being played through by Bukenya but Emmanuel Opio reacted faster to deny the former Bul forward whose aim was to round the keeper off.
Not even the introduction of another forward in Francis Onekalit could open up the game as Lule opted for a midfielder, Daniel Otto for centre Forward Didier Toya and later Rashid Nsubuga for the injured Derrick Tekwo.
The draw takes Vipers to 28 points after 17 games but remain 4th on the log while Express, on 24 points after 18 games are 8th on the 16-team table.
Express XI: Emmanuel Opio (GK), Musa Mukasa, Yayo Lutimba, Farouk Matovu, Sam Senkoomi, Mahad Kakooza, Derrick Tekkwo (Rashid Nsubuga), Ibrahim Saddam Juma ©, Simon Sserunkuma, Jjingo Sulaiman and Didier Toya (Daniel Otto).
Coach: Matia Lule
Vipers XI: Ismail Watenga (GK), Nicholas Wadada ©, Aggrey Madoi, Shafik Bakaki, Halid Lwaliwa, Siraje Sentamu, Deus Bukenya, Mike Sserumaga (Keziron Kizito), Milton Kaliisa (Francis Onekalit) and Brian Kakaire (Alfred Leku)
Coach: Richard Wasswa