Uganda Premier League:
- Vipers 3-1 Masavu
Vipers Sports Club has ascended to the summit of the Uganda Premier League table standings.
This happened after a hard fought 3-1 home win over bottom placed Masavu on a muddy St Mary’s Stadium turf in Kitende on Tuesday evening.
The Venoms, playing without the services of their head coach Miguel D Costa, scored two goals inside the added four minutes of normal time through second half substitutes Pius “Muzeei” Wangi and Milton Karisa.
Masavu had set the bar high and created a tense finish to the game when super sub, Ivan Lubaale struck with a well taken 70th minute volley to cancel Tom Masiko’s beautifully curled free-kick two minutes after the hour mark.
Earlier, it was all for the home side in the opening stages of the game.
League top scorer, striker Dan Sserunkuma missed scoring off a Duncan Sseninde telling delivery from a corner kick inside the opening five minutes.
Masavu suffered a set-back in the opening 29 minutes when striker Rashid Kyambadde limped out with a troublesome hamstring injury for former Vipers’ player, Ddumba Sadala.
Left back Sseninde was sandwiched by Masavu right back Philly Lutaaya and make shift central defender Herbert Kakande for the free-kick that Masiko expertly curled home.
Referee Alex Muhabi cautioned Masavu’s James Kasibante for a foul on Bashir Asiku, who played at right back for suspended Vipers’ captain, Nico Wakiro Wadada.
For long spells of the opening half, the heavy playing surface due to the earlier rains did not permit easy movement of the players as the half time ended 1-0 in favour of the home side.
Four minutes into the second half, Masavu’s Sulaiman Ochero was cautioned after bringing down a largely silent Sserunkuma in middle of the pack
Ten minutes later, it was Deus Bukenya’s turn to get booked for a malicious foul on Masavu’s prodigal son and captain, Abraham Ndugwa.
Vipers called for their first change of the day when Steven Mukwala paved way for Milton Karisa as the crowded applauded the move with loud cheers.
Masavu technical bench was brought on board Ivan Lubaale for defender Herbert Kakande.
Lubaale needed just eight minutes to record a statement of intent, scoring a stunner just inside the area with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Masavu’s assistant coach Alex Gitta was sent off for bitter protesting to the match referees.
Inside the last quarter of the game, Vipers made two changes introducing Pius Wangi and Milton Karisa for Tom Masiko and Steven Mukwala respectively.
In a bid to strengthen the midfield, Masavu introduced Geofrey Kana for the veteran Arthur Semazzi with ten minutes left on the end.
By this time, it was tense and boiled up.
Masavu defended gallantly and Vipers intensified their raids.
Vipers pushed on striker Clovis Mbayi for Erisa Ssekisambu with two minutes to go.
When the fourth official Siraje Mpyangu indicated the four minutes of added time, the game remained tied one all.
Vipers won a free-kick 35 yards away. Deus Bukenya’s delivery was tapped home by Wangi in a forest of legs with a couple of Vipers’ players in seemingly off-side positions.
The goal stood much to the protest of Masavu players and jubilation by the Vipers’ players, technical bench and fans alike.
Karisa scored the winner in the 93rd minute moreso in similar fashion to seal the victory that drove the Venoms back to the top with 49 points, same as second placed SC Villa Jogoo.
Vipers have a superior goal difference compared to SC Villa Jogoo.
KCCA, winners 7-2 against URA are third on the log with 48 points.
Vipers will host KCCA this Friday in a highly anticipated encounter this coming Friday at St Mary’s Kitende.
Team Line Ups:
Vipers XI: Ismail Watenga (G.K, Captain), Deus Bukenya, Duncan Sseninde, Halid Lwaliwa, Bashir Asiku, Geofrey Wasswa, Erisa Ssekisambu (88’ Mousa Clovis Mbayi), Tom Masiko (76’ Pius Wangi), Brian Nkuubi, Steven Mukwala (78’ Milton Karisa), Dan Sserunkuma
Substitutes Not Used: Eric Kibowa (G.K), Ashraf Mandela, Moses, Baden Mujahid Ogama
Head Coach: Edward Golola
Assistant Coach: Edward Ssali
Masavu XI: Ivan Mutumba (G.K), Philly Lutaaya, James Kasibante, Ibrahim Pengere, Charles Wamala, Sulaiman Ochero, Herbert Kakande (62’ Ivan Lubaale), Simon Namwanja, Abraham Ndugwa, Arthur Semazzi (79’ Godfrey Kana), Rashid Kyambadde (29’ Sadala Ddumba)
Substitutes Not Used: Ali Kiggundu (G.K), Jonathan Katende, Godfrey Wasswa, Asadu Bakulumpagi
Head coach: Joseph Mutyaba
Assistant Coach: Alex Gitta
Match Officials:
- Center Referee: Alex Muhabi
- 1st Assistant Referee: Emmy Kakooza
- 2nd Assistant Referee: Sam Turyomuriwe
- Fourth Assistant Referee: Siraje Mpyangu
- Match Commissioner: Muhammad Ndawula
- Media Officer: Abdu Wasike
Other Results on Tuesday:
- KCCA 7-2 URA
- Soana 1-3 Proline
- UPDF 1-0 BUL
Next Fixtures:
Friday 27th April 2018:
- Vipers SC Vs KCCA FC, St Mary’s Stadium-Kitende (4:00 pm) – On Live on Azam TV
- Police FC Vs Onduparaka FC, Mandela National Stadium-Namboole (4:30 pm)
Saturday 28th April 2018:
- Maroons FC Vs Express FC, Luzira Prison Grounds(4:00 pm) – Live on Azam TV
- Kirinya Jinja SSS FC Vs Bright Stars FC, Bugembe Stadium-Jinja (4:00pm )
- Mbarara City FC Vs SC Villa , Kakyeka Stadium- Mbarara (4:00 pm)