Uganda Premier League (Match Day 20):
- Vipers 1-0 Wakiso Giants
- Soltilo Bright Stars 1-3 SC Villa
- Maroons 1-3 NEC
- Kitara 1-1 Mbarara CIty
Kenneth Kimera came off the bench to score a beauty as Vipers defeated Wakiso Giants 1-0 at the St Mary’s Stadium under floodlights on Friday evening.
Kimera, a former Wakiso Giants player had replaced midfielder Joseph Marvin Youngman at the start of the second half and did not celebrate scoring against his former pay masters.
This is the kind of result that Vipers aspired and yearned for; having commenced the game well aware that their closest challenger, NEC had won 3-1 at Maroons earlier in the day, in Luzira.
Both sides had failed to find the break-through by the opening 45 minutes with no clear goal scoring opportunities created.
Vipers dominated the opening stages of the game with a series of corner kicks delivered by Abdul Karim Watambala well defended gallantly.
Watambala had a free-kick also chipped directly to the towering goalkeeper James Alitho on the half mark.
The real threat at Wakiso Giants arrived in the 37th minute when a goal-bound shot from forward Yunus Junior Sentamu was blocked by left-back Baker Lukooya.
At the start of the second half, bow-legged forward Kimera replaced midfielder Youngman as the home side created space for a second forward.
It was Wakiso Giants with the first attempt on goal in the final stanza.
Forward Hudson Mbalire broke through and was denied from close range by Vipers’ Congolese goalkeeper Alfred Macumu Mudekereza three minutes after restart of play.
The goal moment came in the 52nd minute when Kimera looped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Alitho, for obvious reasons opted not to celebrate having punished his former club, where it mattered most.
Three minutes past the hour mark, goalkeeper Mukedereka dived to parry away the ball to deny former Vipers’ player Rahmat Ssenfuka’s header.
Moments later, Wakiso Giants skipper Hassan Ssenyonjo shot wide of goal from the edge of the goal area.
With 20 minutes left on the clock; Wakiso Giants called for a triple change.
Lawrence Muwonge Bukenya paved way for Tom Masiko, another Vipers’ player.
Veterans William Kizito Luwaga and Moses Oloya were rested for Timothy Oyamo and Blanchar Mulamba respectively.
At the same time, Vipers made a double substitution; Mauritanian international Mohamed Salem Ekbad was introduced for Yunus Junior Sentamu and Issa Bugembe replaced the industrious Moses Waiswa.
Mbalire was again a culprit infront of goal, missing from close range as he tapped wide a decent cut back by Oyamo in the 77th minute.
Moments later, Lukooya had a free-kick well defended by Hilary Mukundane’s header.
Inside the final 10 minutes of the game, forward Marvin Oshaba was introduced for captain Hassan Ssenyonjo with the armband going to Ssenfuka.
As the minutes trickled down, Watambala fouled Masiko for a booking from referee Stephen Kimayo.
Vipers rested team captain Allan Okello for a defensive option in Paul Patrick Mbowa with Mukundane taking over the treasured skipper’s arm band for the remaining five minutes of added time.
The Venoms held on for their 15th victory of the season in 20 outings.
Vipers make it to 49 points, five away from second placed NEC as the league heads to the final bend.
Team Line Ups:
Vipers XI: Alfred Macumu Mudekereza (G.K), Grant Matsiko, Enock Luyima, Hilary Panuel Mukundane, Rogers Ochaki Torach, Frank Katongole, Joseph Youngman Marvin, Abdul-Karim Watambala, Moses Waiswa Ndhondhi, Allan Okello (Captain), Yunus Junior Sentamu
Subs: Jack Komakech (G.K), Denis Kiggundu (G.K), Pedro Honjo Chimbiambunlu, Livingstone Mulondo, Siraje Ssentamu, Mohamed Salem Ekbad, Kenneth Kimera, Nico Wakiro Wadada, Paul Patrick Mbowa, Gusto Wa Ilungo Mulongo, Issa Bugembe, Richard Matovu
Wakiso Giants XI: James Alitho (G.K), Lawrence Muwonge Bukenya, Ambrose Arinda, Abdul Ssemakula, Shaibu Shaibu Mtita, Baker Lukooya, Hassan Ssenyonjo, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Moses Oloya, William Luwaga Kizito, Hudson Mbalire
Subs: Fazil Tumwine, Marvin Oshaba, Joseph Lubega, Josephat Ayebare, Blanchar Mulamba, Timothy Oyamo, Tom Ssemuwemba Masiko, Godfrey Omoki, Omary Mfaume Bibo
Match officials:
- Referee: Stephen Kimayo Masaya
- Assistant Referee 1: Emmanuel Okudra
- Assistant Referee 2: Azedi Mironso
- Fourth official: Recheal Nantongo
- Coordinator: Jean Sseninde Namayega
- Referee assessor: Khalifani Kanakulya Ndawula