Uganda Premier League (Match Day 27):
- Vipers 1-2 URA
- Bright Stars 1-1 Police
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Football Club out-smarted the league defending champions Vipers 2-1 at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday.
On form URA captain Shafic Kagimu and burly forward Victor Kilama were on target for the tax collectors in the thrilling match.
Veteran forward Hamis Kiiza, a first-half substitute got the consolation for the home team.
After a promising start inside the opening 10 minutes when URA goalkeeper James Alitho topped over a decent free-kick by Brian Nkuubi, the visitors recovered swiftly.
The Venoms’ young midfielder Bobosi Byaruhanga got injured on 17 minutes but managed to push on after he was attended to by the medical team.
Two minutes later, Vipers skipper Tadeo Lwanga got cautioned by the day’s referee Nasser Muhammad Kirya.
Byaruhanga recovered well with a shot off target from 30 yards on 22 minutes.
Joachim Ojera had a decent cut back cheekily put off by striker Victor Kilama as URA pushed forward.
The breakthrough moment arrived on 24 minutes after a strong left-footed shot into the roof of the net by Kagimu following a wall pass with Saidi Kyeyune.
Three minutes to the half-hour mark, Vipers won a free-kick on the edge of the goal area, Tom Masiko set for Brian Nkuubi who hit the defensive wall.
There was an early change for the home side 10 minutes into the second half.
Kizza replaced a limping Byaruhanga before the second change came four minutes to the end of the opening half.
Defender Ibrahim Tembo replaced a midfielder Masiko
Kagimu had the last chance of the half with another left footed shot from 25 yards but the goalkeeper Derrick Ochan was early to the task.
When the second half kicked off, Cromwell Rwothomio replaced Moses Sseruyidde in the first change for URA.
Kilama finished off a telling cut back well laid by Ojera for URA’s second goal on the hour mark.
At this moment, Vipers called for their final change. Winger Duncan Sseninde was introduced for striker Steven Mukwala.
On 65 minutes, URA second goal scorer Kilama was rested for left winger Vitalis Tabu.
Vipers pulled a goal back through former URA player Kizza after a rebound following a saved penalty by goalie Alitho on the initial effort.
The penalty had been awarded following a foul on Innocent Wafula by URA left back Yeseri Waibi, but the penalty call was bitterly protested by the visitors prior to the take of the shot and after.
On 69 minutes, Vipers left back Azizi Kayondo got booked after a malicious foul on Ojera.
Tabu curled over the bar the resultant free-kick.
Nkuubi had a trial towards goal with 15 minutes to play, flying over Alitho.
With 13 minutes to play, Alitho saved off Diego’s header from close range after a decent cross from the right by the overlapping Livingstone Mulondo.
Inside the final 5 minutes of the game, Ojera was taken off for Julius ‘Boy’ Mutyaba as the tax collectors made the final change.
There was no other threatening moment for the two clubs.
Ojera was named the man of the match.
URA attains their 11th win of the season in 27, consolidating third place with 46 points.
Vipers’ suffer yet another heartbreak in their third defeat of the campaign, remaining on 50 points, still six behind leaders KCCA who host Express at Lugogo on Easter eve.
Team Line Ups:
Vipers XI: Derrick Ochan (G.K), Ibrahim Kiyemba, Aziz Kayondo, Henry Katongole, Livingstone Mulondo, Bobosi Byaruhanga (34’ Diegi Hamis Kiiza), Innocent Wafula, Taddeo Lwanga, Brian Nkuubi, Tom Masiko (41’ Diego Ibrahim Tembo), Steven Mukwala (Duncan Sseninde)
Subs: Fabien Mutombora (G.K), Karim Niyigizimana, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Brian Kalumba
Head coach: Michael Nam Ouma
URA XI: James Alitho (G.K), Patrick Mbowa, Yeseri Waibi, Hudu Mulikyi, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Siraje Sentamu, Said Kyeyune Joachim Ojera (85’ Julius Mutyaba), Victor Kilama (65’ Vitalis Tabu), Shafic Kagimu, Moses Sseruyidde (46′ Cromwell Rwothomio)
Subs Not Used: Salim Wakiya (GK), Stephen Munguchi, Allan Munaaba, Robert Omunuk
Head coach: Sam Ssimbwa
Match officials:
- Center Referee: Nasser Muhammad Kirya
- Assistant Referee 1: Solomon Lusambya
- Assistant Referee 2: Mustafa Mafuma
- Fourth Official: Ali Bakisula
- Referee Assessor: Denis Batte
