Pre – season match result:
- Vipers 0-1 Azam
Tanzania Premier league out-fit Azam Football Club concluded their 10 day tour in Uganda on a sound note.
On Monday, the Bakrehesa funded club edged Vipers Sports Club 1-0 at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende in an ill-tempered match watched by a relatively good crowd.
Yahya Zayd scored the all-important goal of the match via a well struck penalty 29 minutes into the opening half.
The penalty arose after defender Shafiq Bakaki strangled down Joseph Mahundi in the forbidden area.
Vipers had two chances in the first half to make amends – first through midfielder Ashraf Mandela who hit the right post in the 35th minute.
Defender Bakaki had a rare chance to shoot at goal and redeem the earlier howler; but he hesitated to shoot at goal.
There was a penalty shout for Tonny Odur turned down by FIFA referee Aisha Ssemambo.
In the second half, Miguel Do Santos and his technical team made a couple of changes.
Midfielder Moses Waiswa limped out for former KCCA captain Tom Masiko 5 minutes into the second stanza.
There was then a double change when Yayo Lutimba replaced Dan Birikwalira and Hassan Kalega paved way for Mousa Mbayi on the hour mark.
Substitute Lutimba had an immediate impact moments after being introduced when he combined with Karisa to cross for Odur but the executor headed over the bar.
The match nearly turned into a battle ground when either team players were involved in nasty fights.
Odur and Masoud Abdallah were involved in a fist fight but the day’s referee withered down the storm with a simple peep talk than cautions or sending off.
Vipers pushed forward for the equalizer that never arrived despite the intense pressure.
Mbayi had a volleyed effort kiss the cross bar and Odur missed a free header inside the final 10 minutes of the game.
The last ugly bit of the match happened shortly after the final whistle. Vipers’ head coach Miguel De Costa nearly strangled his Azam counter Cioaba Aristica as the two coaches performed the post match sporting customs.
It was Azam’s third victory on the tour having won 2-0 against URA at the Lugogo Stadium and 3-0 over Arua side Onduparaka at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Earlier, they drew 2 all with the Uganda Cranes CHAN team and one all with the reigning Uganda Premier League champions, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) football club.
The Azam coach Aristica hailed the significance of the tour in preparation of the new season.
“The tour has been good for us. We have seen many aspects of the game and departments where we have to improve,” the Romanian born tactician said.
His counter-part, Da Costa hailed the spirit of the match but castigated the performance of the day’s referee.
“The referee was dressed in Tanzanian jersey. From the fouls, free-kicks and the penalty itself, the referee was against us and it has happened like for the last 8 matches we have played.”
The Portugese coach said in a post match interview.
Vipers director Lawrence Mulindwa later treated the club to a dinner with merry making to cool down the tempers and tensions on the field of play.
Azam returns to Tanzania on Tuesday.
Vipers XI: Ismael Watenga (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Captain), Dan Birikwalira (61’ Yayo Lutimba), Shafiq Bakaki, Geofrey Wasswa, Tadeo Lwanga (Assistant Captain), Ashraf Mandela, Moses Waiswa (50’ Tom Masiko), Hassan Kalega (61’ Mousa Mbayi), Tonny Odur, Milton Karisa
Subs: James Alitho (G.K), Musa Malunda, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Deus Bukenya, Erisa Ssekisambu, Mike Sserumaga, Azizi Kemba
Officials: Miguel Da Costa (Head Coach), Edward Golola (Assistant Coach)
Azam FC XI: Benedict Haule (G.K), Swalehe Abdallah (57′ Himid Mao), Hamimu Karim (68′ Bruce Kangwa), Abdallah Kheri, David Mwantika, Salmin Hoza, Joseph Mahundi (60′ Frank Domayo), Braison Raphael, Yahya Zayd (46′ Joseph Kimwaga), Ramadhan Singano (46′ Masoud Abdallah), Idd Kipagwile (78′ Salum Abubakar)
Subs Not used: Ali Mwadini (G.K), Daniel Amoah, Aggrey Morris, Waziri Junior, Mohammed Yakubu, Enock Atta, Yahaya Mohammed, Stephen Kingue
Officials: Cioaba Aristica (Head coach), Iddi Cheche (Assistant Coach), Mwanandi Mwankemwa (Team Doctor), Alando (Team manager), Iddi Abubakar (Official)