2025/26 Uganda Premier League (UPL):
- KCCA 1-1 Vipers
Vipers Sports Club survived a scare after a 1-all draw with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Football Club at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo on Wednesday night.
Ivan “The Hunter” Ahimibisibwe gave the Kasasiro boys the lead with a well struck penalty in the 35th minute.
Second half substitute Glodi Beyuku Munsi found a late-late equalizer for Vipers with a minute to end normal time.
Ahimbisibwe scored a first half penalty that was well defended for the rest of the physical contest.
The penalty arrived after defender Kevin Baddy Da Slyva brought down the Hunter himself in the 35th minute.
With victory in sight for the hosts, Vipers had different ideas altogether when Beyuku struck a beautiful ball into the roof of the net for the equalizer well celebrated.
Beyuku who had replaced Yunus Junior Sentamu on 74 minutes raced onto Abdul-Karim Watambala’s decent through ball before he fired into the top right corner of the goal past goalkeeper Mutwalibu Mugolofa to spark wild celebrations.
KCCA posed the first questions when Ashraf Mugume executed a free-kick after three minutes well defended by the visitors.
Vipers lost left back Enock Luyima through injury with Derrick Ndahiiro taking over his slot just five minutes into the game.
A Long throw-in from Fillbert Obenchan was headed over by KCCA captain Gavin Kizito Mugweri in yet another home team offensive move.
KCCA winger Sammy Ssebadduka exhibited flashes of brilliance with fancy step overs but Ndahiro blocked the cross from the right flank on 10 minutes.
It was Vipers who earned the first corner of the game 12 minutes into the game.
Moments later, a would be opener by Vipers from Enock Ssebagala was disallowed for an off-side, protested bitterly by the visitors.
On the quarter hour mark, Ssebaduka was tugged down by Da Slyva but the referee turned down the penalty appeal.
On 22 minutes, Sentamu’s decent cut back from the left was well defended but the rebound from Enock Ssebagala was pushed away for a corner kick by goalkeeper Mutwalib Mugolofa.
KCCA’s midfielder Saidi Mayanja became the first player to be booked following a foul onto Yunus Sentamu.
Watambala set up Tadeo Lwanga who shot but the effort was blocked with a cry for a penalty turned down.
Ahimbisibwe scored a penalty in the 35th minute after Da Slyva had fouled the former inside the goal area.
Vipers’ Ssebagala was cautioned as the opening stanza ended in favour of KCCA.
At the start of the second stanza of the game, Vipers called for a double change.
Kevin Da Slyva was replaced by Rogers Torach Ochaki and winger Odili Chukwuma who was silent throughout the first half came out for Gusto Mulongo.
Tadeo Lwanga was cautioned in the 52nd minute for unsporting conduct.
Gusto Mulongo shot over with the left foot, ten minutes into the second half.
On the hour mark, Ssebagala was rested for the fresh legs of Usama Arafat Kiza
Beyuku replaced Yunus Sentamu with 15 minutes to play as Vipers sought for the equalizer.
Mugume blocked a goal bound shot from Lwanga and the break, Ahimbisibwe also shots way off target.
The equalizer came in the 89th minute after a decent throughball from Watambala found Beyuku infront of the KCCA goal.
The Congolese forward made no mistake but fire the ball with a bullet left footed shot that found the back of the net.
A point earned further consolidates Vipers’ lead at the summit with 59 points off 26 matches played.
KCCA has 52 points from 26 games.
Sports Club Villa and Kitara (both on 51 points) face off during Thursday’s duel at the Butema Royal Park in Hoima.
Team Line Ups:
KCCA XI: Mutwalibu Mugolofa (G.K), Lazaro Muhindo, Gavin Kizito Mugweri (Captain), Hassan Muhamud, Fillbert Obenchan, Saidi Mayanja, Joel Sserunjogi, Ashraf Mugume, Sammy Ssebaduka, Ivan Ahimbisibwe
Subs Not Used: Charles Lukwago (G.K), Mezui, Emmanuel Anyama, Steven, Etienne Katenga, Sharif Ssengendo, Peter Magambo, Gatbel, Humphrey, Gabriel, Emojong, Walusimbi
Vipers XI: Denis Kiggundu (G.K), Ashraf Mandela, Enock Luyima (5’ Derrick Ndahiro), Hilary Mukundane, Kevin Da Slyva (46’ Rogers Torach Ochaki), Tadeo Lwanga, Enock Ssebagala (60’ Arafat Usama Kiza), Abdul Karim Watambala, Milton Karisa, Odili Chukwuma (46’ Gusto Mulongo), Yunus Junior Sentamu (74’ Beyuku)
Subs Not Used: Jack Komakech (G.K), Joseph Marvin Youngman, Paul Patrick Mbowa, Abubakali Walusimbi, Isaac Ogwang, Robin
