Vipers capped a wonderful 2024/25 campaign with yet another trophy after beating KCCA 2-0 in the Uganda Cup final to complete a second historic double.
The competition’s joint top scorers Livingstone Mulondo and Yunus Sentamu scored the goals that handed the Venoms the new trophy at Fufa stadium, Kadiba but how did each Venom rate on the evening?
Derrick Kiggundu (7/10): Thwarted whatever was thrown at him including saving from Mubezi and Poloto. Looked calm all through and deservedly won the goalkeeper of the tournament award.
Nicholas Wadada (7/10): Rolled back the years with an enterprising display – first keeping Brazilian Gabi at bay and then Julius Poloto. Drew cheers from the crowd with his one-twos late in the game.
Derrick Ndahiro (4/10): A shaky display from the usually calm and intelligent fullback as he on many occasions failed to stop Usama and later Katenga.
Livingstone Mulondo (8/10): Strong in the air and quick clear danger when it fell to him and made some important stops especially in the first half. Above all, set the tone for victory with an opening goal.
Rogers Torach (7/10): Like his partner, he rarely put a foot wrong.
Marvin Youngman (7/10): Took control of the midfield for most parts of the game and nearly got a goal when played through by Okello but sent his effort just over.
Paul Mbowa (6/10): Cut out a couple of KCCA attacks and was good with his passing.
Karim Watambala (7/10): Posed a threat from the beginning as he saw a shot and a cross blocked. Put in a proper defensive shift, too.
Allan Okello (6/10): With the ball at his feet, he was a danger with his through balls and should have registered an assist if Youngman was clinical.
Milton Karisa (6/10): Useful as the target and got involved in both goals. First, won the corner for the first and also headed on target before it was parried in the path of Mulondo, then headed the ball that Magambo failed to clear before Sentamu capitalized for the second.
Yunus Sentamu (8/10): Put the game to bed with a brilliant strike after Magambo failed to clear. Targeted by the KCCA defence especially Gavin Kizito early on but survived to show his class.
Substitutes and the coach
Gusto Mulongo (5/10): Replaced Sentamu and immediately tested Mugolofa with an ambitious effort from over 40 yards.
Moses Waiswa (5/10): Came on for Allan Okello in the last ten minutes.
Grant Matsiko N/a: Replaced Wadada in the last minute.
Fred Muhumuza & John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda (8/10): It wasn’t as beautiful for most parts of the game but it was enough. The duo outsmarted their opposite number with the combination of Marvin Youngman and Paul Mbowa in the double pivot as well as going for a false nine leaving either Gusto Mulongo, Isaac Ogwang or Kenneth Kimera out. The KCCA centre backs were troubled by constant movements by Sentamu, Okello and Karisa who kept occupying the centre forward’s position intermittently.
Well sport narrated.
Bigups I.K