- Pilsner Super 8
- Proline 0-1 Vipers
Striker Denis Mwemwezi scored the lone goal on his debut at Vipers Sports Club in their slim 1-0 win over Proline during a Super 8 contest played at the StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo on Wednesday.
The center forward, signed from Ssese ssaza team headed home the precious and priceless goal off Azizi Kayondo’s telling delivery in the opening half.
Proline had a slow start to the game and they never recovered.
The visitors showed the hunger to control the game as early as the fourth minute when midfielder Brian Nkuubi’s free-kick from 25 yards was well-drilled but goalkeeper Hassan Matovu was early to the task.
Mwemwezi tested the opposition with an attempt on target six minutes later.
However, it was Proline that won the first corner of the game after 11 minutes.
Vipers’ goalie Fabien Mutomobora punched away the in swinging effort, also getting fouled in the process
On 18 minutes, Matovu denied Abraham Ndugwa in a one against one incident.
Proline left-back Sula Ssekamwa, a new signing from Paidha Black Angels had a diagonal ball straight to the goalkeeper Mutombora after 22 minutes.
The game came to life as Mwemezi headed home the opener off Kayondo’s cross from the left on 25 minutes.
Vipers’ other debutant on the day, Abdul Karim Watambala limped out for further medication with 10 minutes to the close of the first half but recovered well.
Proline skipper Noordin Bunjo dispossessed two opponents but his wall pass intended for Ibrahim Wamanah was intercepted towards the end of the first half.
Nkuubi had a free-kick saved and Proline’s Ivan Bogere shot wide as the half climaxed.
Upon restart of the second half, Vipers rested Siraje Sentamu for Rahmat Ssenfuka in their first change.
Six minutes into the closing stanza, Ndugwa got to the bye-line and his chip into the area was well collected by goalkeeper Matovu.
On 53 minutes, Proline registered a shot on target by Hakim Kiwanuka.
Proline called for their opening change of the game when forward Ibrahim Bonyo paved way for Hamis Kiiza 10 minutes into the second half. This was the first game for Kiiza who featured for Vipers last season.
Ivan Bogere, a striker for Proline got cautioned for a foul on the impressive Watambala
Three minutes to the hour mark, Vipers called for their second change as striker Tito Okello replaced another debutant Henry Kitegenyi.
Watambala had a shot saved by Proline goalkeeper Matovu before Okello immediately got involved with a left-footed attempt off target.
Proline’s defender Bernard Muwanga on loan from KCCA had the day’s responsibilities to take the free-kicks.
He disappointed on one attempt after another.
The last 25 minutes were played under cloudy conditions after an abrupt change in the weather.
Okello had another left-footed shot way off target for Vipers on 68 minutes before he chipped for Ndugwa from the right.
Ndugwa tried the scorpion kick but had a slight touch on the ball inside the goal area.
On 70 minutes, Okello beat Proline left-back Sula Ssekamwa but the former’s chip was well dealt with by defender Muwanga.
Under the next minute, it was Vipers again. Overlapping right back Innocent Wafula released Mwemwezi but the forward’s first touch was a disappointment as he approached the goal area.
Watambala limped out for the second time in the game and on came the stylish Frank Tumwesigye in the final quarter of the game.
James Begesa blocked and poked his hands in the face of Ndugwa but no foul was called.
Vipers’ skipper Halid Lwaliwa got booked for unsporting conduct.
Proline rested skipper Noordin Bunjo for Allan Egaku in the final 7 minutes.
Tumwesigye was also booked with five minutes to play.
Kiiza was brought down on the edge of the area and Muwanga’s resultant free-kick was blocked by the defensive wall
Ssekamwa limped out for former Uganda U-17 captain Andrew Isiagi at the stroke of full time.
There were no other serious attacks for either goal areas as Vipers won the game to progress for the semifinals.
Watambala was named man of the match, a gong that came with Shs 100,000.
The second match for this competition will take place on Friday, 2nd August 2019 when Mbarara City takes on Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) at the Kakyeka Stadium.
On Sunday, Onduparaka will play host to Police in Arua and next Tuesday, Wakiso Giants face defending champions KCCA.