The race for the League title between Vipers SC and NEC FC got a new twist on Friday after the former were held to a draw by Express FC at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
With NEC FC edging Kitara FC on Thursday, they moved within a point of the leaders Vipers SC. Therefore, the Venoms had to react today to regain their four-point cushion.
However, Vipers SC were stunned by a brilliant Express FC side who led 2-0 by halftime before the Venoms ramped up a comeback after recess to salvage a draw.
Express have of recent been in the news for the wrong reasons, reportedly failing to pay salaries for their players up to six months.
The players had gone on strike last week and it required an intervention to see them play Maroons FC, a game they lost 1-0 in stoppage time.
On Sunday last week, the fans called for a meeting and promised ten million shillings if their team secured a win over Vipers FC. This indeed fueled the players who put up a scintillating performance.
Captain Emmanuel Wasswa ochestrated the damage, bagging a first half brace.
The first goal came in the 15th minute, a move started by Daniel Shabene who fed Muhammad Senoga Kagawa on the left and the winger beat his marker for pace before striking his effort on the crossbar but Wasswa was well placed to head home from the rebound.
He doubled the lead for the home side in the 27th minute with a worldie. A quick interplay on the left saw Wasswa curl his effort into the top right corner beating goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza.
Vipers however, returned recharged after recess and Allan Okello pulled one back in the 52nd minute with Pedro Sukuya’s cross finding the former unmarked and he struck into the roof off his weaker foot.
Express should have regained their two-goal cushion in the 70th minute when Rogers Torach headed the ball onto Rashid Kawawa’s chest but goalkeeper Mudekereza made two saves in succession to deny the hosts.
With five minutes added to 90, Vipers got the equalizer through substitute Gusto Mulongo.
Karim Watambala’s long pass found Milton Karisa who was returning from an injury and had come on as a substitute and he teed up Mulongo on the far post to tap home.
The result means Vipers SC lead the table on 53 points, two ahead of NEC FC who they host on Thursday next week in Kitende.
The two-title race is likely to go down to the wire with seven games left to the end of the season.
