Uganda Premier League: Vipers 4-1 Onduparaka
Vipers humiliated Onduparaka 4-1 during a one sided Uganda Premier League encounter played at the St Mary’s stadium in Kitende on Tuesday.
Erisa Ssekisambu notched a brace, Brian Nkuubi had a spectacular first time shot and live wire striker Tonny Odur scored a long range beauty to give Miguel Da Costa the deserved maximum points.
Second half substitute Toto Ajobe pulled one back for the Caterpillars whose fans had turned rowdy towards the end of the first half.
Prior to this return leg a lot had been uttered and heard from either sides.
The West Nile side desired to complete a double having won the first round tie 1-0 at the Green Light arena in Arua.
Vipers sought and indeed avenged in the same currency.
Right from the onset, Vipers seemed to be the side on the desired mission at hand – to attack and score as they dominated the opening moments of the game.
On two minutes, Brian Kakaire had a low teasing ball played from the left across goal to find an unmarked Nkuubi.
Nkuubi hurriedly shot wide much to the disappointment of the crowd.
Sixty seconds later, Odur found himself all alone but shot wide with his weaker left foot.
Towards the 10th minute, the home skipper Nico Wakiro Wadada wrestled down former Vipers old boy Ceasar Okhuti but the resultant 35 yards free-kick from the bow legged Gadaffi Gadhino was a routine catch for the towering goalie Ismail Watenga.
A minute later, it was the chance for the Onduparaka captain Muhammed Shaban returning against a side that he featured for as an U-17.
The Uganda Cranes striker booted a high ball over Watenga and his goal-bar.
The break through finally arrived in the 12th minute when team skipper Nico Wakiro Wadada, on one his routine runs down the right flank cross for an unmarked Erisa Ssekisambu on the far right.
The former SC Villa forward made no mistake beating the advancing goalie Nisar with a low drive as the crowd drew wild cheers.
Mid-way the first half, Wadada had a chance to lay the ball following a great lung-bursting run on the right but chose to shoot from an acute angle as the effort sailed out.
Two minutes to the half hour mark, Okhuti stamped Nkuubi in a malicious tackle to earn the first caution of the day.
Shaban also got booked in the 39th minute for playing the ball when the referee’s whistle had been blown.
Halftime ended with the home side leading 1-0.
By this time, the visiting fans turned violent as they threatened to break the perimeter wire mesh fencing at the St. Mary’s but security was alert to tame the situation.
Ibrahim Kayiwa replaced Kezironi Kizito five minutes into the second half for the first change of the game.
Left footed winger Living Kabon became the third Onduparaka player to be cautioned when his high boot landed onto the face of Dan Birikwarila in the 54th minute.
Kabon was thereafter withdrawn for former Sporting United center forward Dickens Okwir.
In the 68th minute, Ceasar Olega replaced a pedestrian looking Ceasar Okhuti.
Two minutes later, Vipers doubled the lead through Brian Nkuubi with a venomous shot after Wadada laid the ball via a cut back.
Blocking midfielder Ivan Mbowa was withdrawn for Ajobe Toto inside the last 13 minutes before Okwir pulled a goal back.
Ssekisambu got the third following a counter attack before Odur wrapped up the business with a long range shot three minutes to full time.
There were regrettable incidents of fans’ violence outside the St Mary’s Stadium with either side engaged in nasty stone throwing acts.
At least 5 spectators were injured with serious wounds and a Gagga bus service wind screen crashed as it ferried the Onduparaka fans.
Police did a commendable job as they had to offer security to the traveling Onduparaka fans from the stadium up to the Entebbe – Kampala Highway before they traveled back home safely.
Although Vipers earned the three points, they remain third on 49 points, behind SC Villa (52) and champions KCCA (60).
Onduparaka was thus subjected to their 7th loss of the campaign that keeps them 5th on the 16 team log with 41 points.
Team Line Ups:
Vipers XI: Ismail Watenga (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Dan Birikwalira, Halid Lwaliwa, Geofrey Wasswa, Deus Bukenya, Kezironi Kizito (50’ Ibrahim Kayiwa), Brian Nkuubi, Erisa Ssekisambu, Tonny Odur (88’ Alfred Leku), Brian Kakaire (80’ Milton Karisa)
Subs Not Used: James Alitho (G.K), Mike Sserumaga, Moses Waiswa
Onduparaka XI: Nisar (G.K), Simba, Norman Saddam, Fazil, Muhammed, Ivan Mbowa (77’ Ajobe Toto), Living Kabon (56’ Dickens Okwir), Gadaffi Gadihno, Gasper, Muhammed Shaban (Captain), Samson Ceasar Okhuti
