Overview:
Both Vipers and Lugazi made a couple of changes as the game progressed to test their different players and combos.
- Friendly Match: Vipers 2-0 Lugazi
Vipers Sports Club overcame betPawa FUFA Big League side Lugazi 2-0 during a friendly duel at Kisubi Technical school playground on the sunny evening of Monday, 19th February 2024.
The reigning StarTimes Uganda Premier League and Stanbic Uganda Cup champions scored through left back Richard Matovu and second half substitute Fazil “Chopra” Tumwine.
Matovu scored the opener after the half hour mark thanks to great inter-play that involved Allan Okello, Yunus Sentamu, Moses Waiswa and Mauritanian import Mohamed Salem Ekbad.
It was Salem who set up Matovu with a clever back-heel to finish into an empty net with goalkeeper Emran Fahad down and beaten.
The second goal was a well-connected header from the Venoms’ junior team graduate Tumwine off a perfectly weighted cross by another substitute Grant Matsiko.
Tumwine had replaced Salem whilst Matsiko had come on for roving right back Ashraf Mandela.
Lugazi’s Samuel Ssemugguggu and Alvin Birungi looked dangerous on the break but were well kept under check by the Venoms’ defenders who included the vastly experienced Murushid Jjuuko, Hilary Mukundane.
Vipers’ goalkeepers Derrick Kiggundu (first half) and Jack Komakech (second half) were also called upon at different intervals to make routine saves.
Experienced defender Savio “Saviola” Kabugo was sent off for two bookable offences to give Vipers the numerical advantage in the last 20 minutes of the game.
Kabugo’s first caution came in the first half with the second one as a result of strangling Okello during the subsequent stanza.
Lugazi’s mid-season signings Richard Ayiiko, Juma Sajjabi and Birungi featured in the game.
Both teams made a couple of changes as the game progressed to test their different players and combos.
“We played a pressing game and tried to create chances. I am happy by the manner by which we approached the game. We could have done better if we converted the chances created in this match” Richard Makumbi, Lugazi’s head coach spoke after the match.
Vipers’ assistant coach Richard Wasswa was delighted by the challenge presented by the Lugazi team.
“They (Lugazi) were a good team physically. They pushed us further as the game progressed. This is a good challenge” Wasswa who deputizes Charles Livingstone Mbabazi stated.
This build-up was of equal significance to the two sides who are preparing for the second half of the 2023-2024 football season.
Vipers who are fresh from Rubirizi away at Rugarama United in the Stanbic Uganda Cup (round of 32) make the short trip to Sports Club Villa at the Mutesa II Wankulukuku stadium in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League this weekend.
On the other hand, Lugazi will visit table leaders Police at Kavumba Recreational Stadium, Wakiso (Saturday, 24th February 2024) in the case of the leaders versus the second placed team.
