Vipers 3-1 Arua Hill: The venoms triumph in battle of painters

Uganda Premier League (Matchday 17):

Saturday, 12^th February 2022 Results:

Vipers 3-1 Arua Hill
URA 2-1 Gaddafi
BUL 2-0 Wakiso Giants
Onduparaka 3-1 Busoga United

Two Kansai Plascon sponsored football clubs Vipers and Arua Hill faced off in the Uganda Premier at the St Mary’s Stadium in the battle of painters.

By the close of the day, Vipers won the 3-1 thanks to goals from Ceaser Lobi Manzoki, Milton Karisa, and Yunus Sentamu.

Gaddafi Wahab struck a beautiful half volley for the only consolation of the visitors.

All the four goals on the evening arrived in the second-half following a barren and dark opening stanza.

L-R: Disaan Galiwango, Milton Karisa, and Ceaser Lobi Manzoki celebrate a goal for Vipers at St Mary’s Stadium against Arua Hill | Credit: John Batanudde

In the opening stages of the game, the hosts had the first chance at goal when pacy winger Milton Karisa executed a decent run on the right flank. His cutback was tamed by goalkeeper Richard Anyama.

Arua Hill reacted swiftly in the 6^th minute when the overlapping right back Geriga Atendele released towering forward Robert Eseru who lost possession when it mattered most.

Moments later, a long diagonal ball from Yunu Sentamu, intended for Milton Karisa sailed out of play.

Vipers’ Congolese forward Ceaser Lobi Manzoki in action against Arua Hill | Credit: John Batanudde

Vipers suffered a setback in the 10^th minute when creative midfielder Bright Anukani was stretchered out following a knock. In came Abdul-Karim Watambala.

Eseru had a shot fly off target on the quarter-hour mark.

Watambala got involved in the thick of action when his free-kick was blocked by the defensive wall following Richard Matovu’s foul onto Karisa right on the edge of the goal area.

Ibrahim Faizul and Robert Eseru combine to dispossess Abdul-Karim Watambala | Credit: John Batanudde

Joseph Bright Vuni (Arua Hill) became the first player to be cautioned by FIFA Referee Ali Sabila in the 21^st minute.

The visitors had a penalty appeal in the 23^rd minute turned down.

Alfred Leku beat defender Livingstone Mulondo for pace, he then set up David Ndihabwe who shoots onto the crossbar.

The rebounder found the hands of Vipers’ captain Halid Lwaliwa but the second assistant referee had already signaled an earlier off-side call much to the bitter protest from Arua Hill players and officials on the bench.

Arua Hill players protest towards the referee Ali Sabilla Chelengat | Credit: John Batanudde

Arua Hill goalkeeper Anyama jumped high to collect a delivered free-kick by Dissan Galiwango in the 27^th minute.

Gadafi Wahabu recovered from a knock to solider on towards the half-hour mark.

Alfred Leku (right) and Livingstone Mulondo battle for ball possession Credit: John Batanudde

Leku was the second Arua Hill player to be booked for a foul on Vipers’ skipper Lwaliwa in the 31^st minute.

Moments later, Watambala shot miles off target with a distant effort.

It was Vipers again with the attack with 10 minutes to close the first half.

A quick counterattack orchestrated by Watambala found Manzoki who released Yunus Sentamu in an off-side position to slot home but the latter was already in an off-side position.

An aerial contest | Credit: John Batanudde

Vipers’ Burundian goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora jumped high to collect a high ball over an onrushing Leku

Ceaser Lobi Manzoki celebrates a goal for Vipers | Credit: John Batanudde

The best chance for Vipers in the first half fell to Karisa who razzed the crossbar from close range after roving left back Dissan Galiwango provided a decent laid ball from the flank.

The opening half ended goal-less.

Four minutes upon restart of play, Manzoki broke the resilience of the host with a flipped ball over goalkeeper Anyama after an initial shot from Watambala had been blocked.

Manzoki celebrates with the Vipers’ head coach Roberto Oliveira | Credit: John Batanudde

Atendele got cautioned in the 52^nd minute before Leku shot off target with the weaker left foot from 25 yards.

Ten minutes into the second half, the Kongolos made a double change.

Stephen Kabuye and Rashid Kawawa were introduced for David Ndihabwe and Robert Eseru respectively.

Milton Karisa celebrates his goal | Credit: John Batanudde

On the hour mark, Anyama was called upon with a great diving save from Yunus Sentamu.

Galiwango shredded off a knock to continue with play before Arua Hill’s second change.

Jacob Kamwesigye replaced Ibrahim Faizul in the 67^th minute.

At this moment, Vipers also called for the second and third changes.

Frank Zagga Tumwesigye was introduced for Watambala as Hillart Mukundane came on for an injured Galiwango.

Karisa doubled the hosts’ lead with a tapped-in effort in the 72^nd minute.

Karisa is hugged by Robert Oliveria after scoring | Credit: John Batanudde

Three minutes later, Vipers missed the opportunity to make it three.

Manzoki released Yunus Sentamu but the first touch disappointed the latter after breaking through.

Arua Hill pulled a goal back through midfielder Wahabu Gaddafi with a sweet half volley off Atendele inviting cross from the right.

Arua Hill’s Gaddafi Wahabu (right) celebrates with teammates Ibrahim Faizul and Geriga Atendele after his sweet half volley | Credit: John Batanudde

Yunus Junior Sentamu and Dissan Galiwango celebrate | Credit: John Batanudde

Meanwhile, Karisa limped out for further medication and was eventually replaced by Denis Mwemezi with 10 minutes to play.

Yunus Junior Sentamu scored Vipers’ third goal with 9 minutes left on the clock following a solo effort before expertly curling past goalkeeper Anyama.

The last five minutes witnessed a double change for the visitors.

Former Vipers’ player Ibrahim Tembo replaced an injured Rashid Toha, the Kongolo captain and forward Samuel Kayongo Ssekamatte Junior came on for Wahabu.

There were two late bookings in the game for Arua Hill midfielder Ibrahim Faizul and Vipers’ Siraje Sentamu (time-wasting).

Vipers’s Siraje Sentamu is sandwiched by Arua Hill players Robert Eseru, Alfred Leku and David Ndihabwe as referee Sabila keeps a keen eye Credit: John Batanudde

The opportunity for Vipers to make it four was ruined by Manzoki after superb goalkeeping by Anyama following an inviting cross from Mwemezi on the right.

3-1 the final score read in bold with Vipers’ holding midfielder Siraje Sentamu taking the pilsner man of the match honours.

The win cemented Vipers’ grip at the top with 39 points off 17 matches.

Second-placed KCCA (16 matches) are on 35 points. KCCA visit Mbarara City on Sunday, February 13, 2022.

Meanwhile, Arua Hill suffered their 5^th loss of the campaign which keeps them on 28 points off 17 matches in the 6^th position.

Team Line Ups:

Vipers XI: Fabien Mutombora (G.K), Paul Willa, Dissan Galiwango, Livingstone Mulondo, Halid Lwaliwa (Captain), Siraje Ssentamu, Milton Karisa, Najib Yiga, Bright Anukani, Yunus Junior Sentamu, Cesar Lobi Manzoki

Subs: Jack Komakech (G.K), Hilary Mukundane, Musa Ssali, Dan Sserunkuma, Denis Mwemezi, Frank Zagga Tumwesigye, Abdul Karim Watambala

Vipers head coach Robert Oliveira Credit: John Batanudde

Head coach: Robert Oliviera

Arua Hill XI: Richard Anyama (G.K), Geriga Atendele, Richard Matovu, Rashid Muhamad, Rashid Toha (G.K), Joseph Bright Vuni, Ibrahim Faizul, David Ndihabwe, Wahab Gadafi, Robert Eseru, Alfred Leku

Subs: Erick Kibowa (G.K), Ibrahim Magandaazi, Ibrahim Tembo, Stephen Kabuye, Jacob Kamwesiga, Samuel Ssekamatte Kayongo, Rashid Kawawa

Head coach: Charles Livingstone Mbabazi