Uganda Premier League (Match Day 13):
Vipers 0-0 Tooro United
There are eminent signs that the house at the St Mary’s in Kitende is not in order.
Bar the fact that the results on the field of play are not coming the right way of late, there are quite a number of other issues to report home about.
Whereas the fans are demanding, the players’ body language communicates otherwise and club President Lawrence Mulindwa (Dr) even stormed out of his executive box minutes before the final whistle of the goal-less home stalemate with Tooro United Football Club on Saturday.
In fact, the fans had earlier showed their frustration when they threw water bottles towards the Mexican Javier Martinez Espinoza during their slim 1-0 win over Police.
After the Tooro United encounter, the fans staged mild protests outside the stadium in the aftermath of the game with Tooro United as the players looked stressed by the outcome.
The goal-less affair means that league reigning champions have drawn their fourth game this term and good enough remain unbeaten.
In the game proper, diminutive forward Dan Sserunkuma had a diving header fly over the goal post of Joel Mutakubuwa after a teasing delivery from the left flank by Abraham Ndugwa on the opening quarter an hour of the game.
On 27 minutes, Sserunkuma had a goal disallowed by the first assistant referee Emma Okudra following an off-side call.
Five minutes later, Tooro United themselves had a goal from Allan Kayiwa disallowed after he had rounded off returning goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora but the off-side flag had already been signalled by the second assistant referee Jane Mutonyi.
There was a yellow card shown to Bashir Asiku for a foul on Allan Kayiwa with 8 minutes to the end of the first half.
At the onset of the second half, Vipers technical bench led by Mexican born coach Javier Martinez Espinoza called for the first change on the evening.
Central offensive midfielder Moses Waiswa replaced left footed winger Duncan Sseninde.
There was a double change for Vipers on the hour mark. Two forwards Joseph Jjanjali and Davis Kasirye replaced the largely ineffective for Brian Kalumba and Dan Sserunkuma respectively.
Five minutes later, Wasswa Bbosa called for the first change of the visiting club.
Davis Ssali replaced the weary albeit great legs of team captain William Kavuma.
Kavuma’s substitution meant that rock solid defender Mike Kawooya would take over the team leadership role.
Waiswa curled over the goal post a free-kick from 20 yards with a quarter of an hour left on the clock as the Venoms pressed forward for the equalizer.
Tooro United goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa perfected a finger-tip save, parrying away for a corner a Waiswa curling shot.
Issa Lumu got cautioned for protesting to the referee as the goalkeeper lay down after the save.
On 80 minutes, striker Baker Buyala was introduced for Steven Omuviia.
Buyala immediately got involved in the thick of action with an energetic run down the right before his cross from the right was headed by defender Livingstone Mulondo.
Inside the final five minutes, Tooro United went defensive with the last change.
Timothy Musiinguzi replaced an injured Mahad Yahaya Kakooza who limped out at a snail pace.
Tooro United goalkeeper Mutakubwa got cautioned for time wasting as the minutes ticked away in the barren affair.
Vipers get to 25 points, five away from leaders KCCA who won 2-1 away to BUL at the FUFA Technical Center, Njeru.
KCCA has however played two more games than Vipers.
Meanwhile, Tooro United played to their 5th draw of the season, remaining 11th on 17 points.
Team Line ups:
Vipers:
Fabien Mutombora (G.K), Bashir Asiku, Aggrey Madoi, Halid Lwaliwa, Livingstone Mulondo, Geofrey Wasswa, Brian Kalumba (60’ Joseph Jjanjali), Abraham Ndugwa, Dan Sserunkuma (62’ Davis Kasirye), Tito Okello, Duncan Sseninde (47’ Moses Waiswa)
Subs Not Used:
Derrick Ochan (G.K), Ibrahim Kiyemba, Brian Nkuubi, Dickens Okwir
Head coach: Javier Martinez Espinoza
Tooro United XI:
Joel Mutakubwa (G.K), Musa Mukasa, Isa Mubiru, Mike Kawooya, Isa Lumu, Steven Luswata, Paddy Muhumuza, Willy Kavuma (65’ Davis Ssali), Mahad Yahaya Kakooza (88’ Timothy Musinguzi), Steven Omviia (81’ Baker Buyala), Allan Kayiwa
Subs Not Used:
Meddie Kibirige (G.K), Timothy Musinguzi, Joshua Kaliisa, Baker Buyala, Steven Ategeka, Ibrahim Ayub Kizza
Head coach: Wasswa Bbosa
Match Officials:
Center Referee: Emma Kiweewa
Assistant Referee 1: Emma Okudra
Assistant Referee 2: Jane Mutonyi
Fourth official: Ali Bakisuula
Media Officer: Kelvin Kenneth Muwanga
All Saturday Results:
BUL 1-2 KCCA
Vipers 0-0 Tooro United
Paidha Black Angels 0-0 Sports Club Villa
Ndejje University 2-3 Maroons
Mbarara City 2-1 Bright Stars
Next Match:
Sunday, 30th December 2018
Police Vs Kirinya-Jinja S.S – Lugogo