Fireworks as Vipers entertain Onduparaka, Desabre to watch epic clash

Uganda Premier League (Match Day 17):

Tuesday, 13^th February 2018

• Vipers Vs Onduparaka – St Mary’s Kitende (Live on TV) -4 pm

Third placed Vipers Sports Club will fight for maximum points to close gap on leaders Sports Club Villa Jogoo when they entertain fourth lying Onduparaka at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Tuesday evening.

This will be one of the seven matches lined up for match day 17.

The game will present a rich plat form for Uganda Cranes head coach, Sebastien Desabre to have very first taste of local league football since his appointment on 28^th December 2017 for the national team duty.

Fresh from a slim 1-0 victory at the hands of Soana at Kavumba Recreational stadium, Vipers will hope to maintain the run as they close down on the leaders Sports Club Villa.

Onduparaka played to a goal-less home draw with visiting Express at the Green Light Stadium last Thursday.

From 16 games played so far, Vipers has attained 29 points (same as KCCA who have played 15 games), just four points shy of leaders, Sports Club Villa Jogoo.

The latter shall not be in action as they wait for their mouth-watering clash with KCCA on Thursday this week.

Good home form:

Vipers have only lost once at St Mary’s Stadium in the league (fell 2-1 to URA in the first round).

Therefore, they are expected to bank on that home form when they take on a giant killer in Onduparaka.

Ironically, Onduparaka have had a suspect away form since being promoted to the top flight.

In fact, the Catarpillars’ last trip at Kitende was a complete disappointment after falling 4-1 last season with a few incidences of crowd trouble outside the stadium.

Key players:

Vipers’ head coach Miguel Da Costa and the rest of his technical working team are spoilt for choice.

On colour striker Daniel ‘Muzei’ Sserunkuma will once again be expected to provide the fear factor and spark up front.

The Venoms’ mid-season recruit from Express scored the match winner against Soana last Saturday with virtually three minutes left on the clock.

Team captain, Nico Wakiro Wadada, Tadeo Lwanga, Moses Waiswa, Erisa Ssekisambu, Milton Karisa, Yayo Lutimba, Deus Bukenya and new signing Bashir Asiku are the other players whom the Venoms shall dwell upon for the much needed assistance to bring down the Catarpillars.

Onduparaka themselves have of late depended on collective responsibility with the different departments working a complete unit to yield the desired results.

Left back Rashid Okocha and right back Aggrey Kirya are two robust and hard-working players that can trouble any side on a good day at office.

January 2018 signings Yafesi Mubiru and John Wesley Kisakye will provide the athleticism needed up front.

Meanwhile, hard-working midfielders  Gadafi Gadihno, Mahad Kakooza and Patrick Mbowa shall be called upon at all times to cover lots of spaces in the middle of the pack, a department where Vipers has a slight upper hand.

Veteran forward Ceasar Samson Okhuti, exciting left winger Viane Ssekajugo and teenager Ezra ‘Dead Rubber’ Bidda provide varying ingredients to the team.

Okhuti’s never say die attitude and unpredictability shall be demanded by his bosses at all times when fielded as Bidda’s cunningness at his tender age should make the Vipers’ back line worried.

This game will most likely be determined by the slightest details and the best prepared side shall definitely take the day.

The first leg in Arua ended goal-less on 28th October 2017.

Woman FIFA Referee Aisha Nabikko Ssemambo shall be the center referee.

Ssemambo will work with Lydia Nantabo and Jane Mutonyi as the first and second assistant referees respectively.

Alex Muhabi is the fourth official whilst Samuel Egesa shall be the referees’ assessor.

Match Officials:

• Center Referee: Aisha Nabikko Ssemambo
• 1^st Assistant Referee: Lydia Nantabo
• 2^nd Assistant Referee: Jane Mutonyi
• 4^th Official: Alex Muhabi
• Referee Assessor: Samuel Egesa

Other Fixtures:

• Kirinya-Jinja S.S.S Vs Police – Bugembe Stadium, Jinja (4:30 pm)
• UPDF Vs Proline – Bombo Barracks Grounds (4:30 pm)
• URA Vs Bright Stars – Mandela National Stadium, Namboole (4:30 pm)
• Mbarara City Vs Soana – Kakyeka Stadium, Mbarara (4:30 pm)
• Maroons Vs Masavu – Luzira Prisons Ground, Luzira (4:30 pm)
• Express Vs BUL – Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku (4:30 pm)

Thursday, 15^th February 2018:

• KCCA Vs SC Villa Jogoo – Live on TV (4 p.m)