Vipers SC moved a step closer to their ultimate target of clinching this year’s Uganda Premier League title after overcoming Maroons FC in Luzira on Thursday.
The Venoms secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Prison Warders to maintain a firm grip at the top of the table.
Allan Okello scored the all-important goal, converting from the spot in the second half to take his tally to 17.
The forward has been integral for Vipers this season, currently leads the scoring chart and is destined to win the top scorer’s gong.
Vipers came into Thursday’s game on the back of progressing to the semifinals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup after edging SC Villa on Monday.
And playing a day ahead of second-placed NEC FC perhaps fueled them to go for all three points and stretch the gap between.
Indeed, they fought hard to edge a resilient Maroons side who competed throughout the game even when they went a goal down.
The decisive moment came two minutes after the break when Vipers were awarded a penalty when Maroons defender Edward Kabona was adjudged to have held the ball in the box.
A long ball from Hillary Mukundane was brushed by Milton Karisa into the path of Okello whose feeble effort was blocked. The ball instead fell into the path of Karim Watambala who took a ferocious strike that hit the hand of Kabona.
Okello took the resultant penalty, striking the ball with full force just beyond goalkeeper Hassan Matovu who had dived to the right side.
Maroons nearly snatched a late point in the 87th minute but Norman Odipio was unlucky with his strike from distance, glancing off the crossbar.
The win means leaders Vipers SC move to 59 points, eight above NEC FC who host Mbale Heroes FC on Friday in Lugogo.
