Sentamu late strike gives Vipers first leg advantage over Kitara | 51st Stanbic Uganda Cup

51^st Stanbic Uganda Cup (1^st Leg – Semi-finals):

• Vipers 1-0 Kitara
• KCCA 3-0 Kataka

Yunus Junior Sentamu remains the name to be remembered at the St Mary’s Stadium, home of Vipers Sports Club.

Christened as Manucho, Sentamu came off the bench to score a late-late strike for Vipers against Kitara during the first leg of the 51^st Stanbic Uganda Cup semi-final.

With the match destined for a goal-less stalemate, Sentamu had completely other thoughts altogether, volleying home past goalkeeper Chrispus Kusiima in the 96^th minute.

This followed a long ball from goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu that was brushed by Kitara’s Benjamin Nyakoojo towards Sentamu who hit a first-time volley into the back of the net to spark wild celebrations.

Earlier on, the match had been balanced with either sides creating a couple of scoring opportunities not utilized.

The visitors watched on in disbelief when forward Patrick Kaddu had his header hit the cross bar after a decent cross by Jude Ssemugabi on the right flank in the 7^th minute.

Jude Ssemugabi shot off target from an acute angle on the quarter hour mark as Kitara stamped authority onto the game.

Four minutes later, it was Ssemugabi again with a dangerous laid ball from the right but no Kitara player was present to make contact.

Former Vipers midfielder Frank “Zagga” Tumwesigye got cautioned for a late challenge onto midfielder Siraje Sentamu in the 20^th minute.

Play was temporarily halted when Vipers defender Living Mulondo and Kitara midfielder Rogers Mugisha collided into each other but were both treated and they soldiered on.

Three minutes past the half hour mark, Tumwesigye survived a second booking after a late challenge onto Abdul Karim Watambala.

David Ndihabwe then shot way off target from 40 yards in the 37^th minute before Vipers’ captain Milton Karisa was cautioned for fouling Lazaro Bwambale.

The last opportunity of the opening half half fell to Vipers. Roving right back Nico Wakiro Wadada crossed for Watambala who chested controlled for Okello.

Okello the shot narrowly wide with a well-timed volley as the two sides returned for the mandatory half time recess goalless.

As the second half kicked off, Vipers introduced forward Gusto Mulongo for a silent Isaac Ogwang

Mulongo nearly made headlines three minutes into the final stanza but he missed contact with the ball at the far post after Pedro Sukuya’s squared ball.

On the hour mark, Kitara called off George Ssenkaaba and his place was taken over by Solomon Okwalinga.

Vipers’ defender Hilary Mukundane and Watambala got cautioned for fouling and challenging referees’ call respectively.

With 15 minutes to play, Vipers introduced the hit man, Yunus Sentamu for the industrious Sukuya before Kitara introduced left footed winger Jasper Aheebwa for Mugisha.

Sentamu grabbed the headlines for the right reasons, volleying home inside the goal area deep in injury time to secure the first leg victory for the Venoms.

The second leg will be played at Butema sports park in Hoima with Vipers kicking off with a sole goal advantage.

The winner between Vipers and Kitara will face the successful team from the other semi-finalists KCCA and Kataka in the epic finale.

KCCA enjoys a three-goal cushion from the first leg played at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo on Sunday night.

Emmanuel Anyama scored a brace and Ashiraf Mugume added the other for KCCA who are seeking for the 11^th Uganda Cup title.

The final of the 2025 Stanbic Uganda Cup has been confirmed at the newly constructed Kadiba Stadium in Mengo.

The winner of the Stanbic Uganda Cup earns the ticket to represent the country at the CAF Confederation Cup.