2025/26 Star Times Uganda Premier League
- Match day 17: Vipers 1-1 NEC
Vipers and NEC Football Club played to a 1-all stalemate at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende under floodlights on Tuesday night.
Team captain Milton Karisa scored in the 7th minute but NEC gallantly fought on and found the equalizer by defender Warren Buule inside the final 10 minutes of the game.
Match day 17 commenced well for the hosts when Karisa received a great ball from Abdul Karim Watambala before he finished calmly past goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo.
Watambala skied over the ball from a free-kick on 10 minutes off 40 yards.
Former Vipers player Basangwa executed a sweet pass with the outside of his lethal foot to find Rashid Kawawa on the right flank but the latter’s cross was tamed by goalkeeper Alfred Mukedereza.
A lively Chwukuma floated a ball from the left flank but goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo outjumped the opposition to collect the ball.
By the quarter hour mark, the hosts remained dominant and Arafat Usama curled the ball with the left wing off a free-kick.
NEC technical bench called for the first change of the game on 17 minutes; Shamir Kimwero replacing Daniel Shabene in a tactical switch.
Under 25 minutes, NEC made the second change when Joseph Dhata replaced Rashid Kawawa.
On the half hour mark, left back Enock Luyima had a cross picked up by goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo who outjumped Tadeo Lwanga
Vipers’ DaSlyva was cautioned for a late tackle towards Pius Obuya in the 32nd minute.
This was followed by another yellow card to midfielder Tadeo Lwanga two minutes later.
With 10 minutes to play in the opening half, Chukuma had a great run on the left but defender Ibrahim Kiyemba recovered well to regain possession.
NEC defender, Ibrahim Kiyemba, a former Vipers player was cautioned in the 42nd minute before Richard Basangwa had a shot blocked by Hillary Mukundane for a fruitless corner corner in the last piece of action of the opening 45 minutes.
As the second half kicked off, NEC called for a third change. Hakim Wandera took over Kiyemba’s slot in defence.
Defender DaSlyva was well positioned to defend off Basangwa three minutes into the second half.
Vipers’ midfielder Enock Ssebagala cautioned for a foul on the impressive Basangwa in the 52nd minute, becoming the third Vipers’ player to be booked on the night.
NEC left back Gideon Odongo was cautioned towards the hour mark before the hosts made a double change.
Robbin and Abubakar Walusimbi replaced Ssebagala and Chwukuma respectively.
Straight away, the introduced fresh legs caused instant impact. Robbin earned a free-kick after a successful dribble and Walusimbi’s resultant free-kick was deflected for a corner kick.
NEC’s January signing Pius Obuya had a chance to level the game but he miscontroled a perfectly weighted chip from Odongo in the 67th minute.
This was Obuya’s last contribution in the game before he paved away for Emmanuel Kulanga in one of the double changes with Ronald Innocent Media also coming on for Muhammed Senoga Kagawa.
With 15 minutes to play, Vipers introduced forward Yunus Junior Sentamu for skipper Karisa and this meant Mukundane took over the captain’s arm band.
NEC deservedly got the equalizer in the 76th minute from defender Buule’s header after a quick short corner kick from Joseph Dhata was crossed into the area by Kulanga.
Media got cautioned by referee Nabadda in the closing stages of the game.
There was no further threat as the two sides shared the spoils to take a point apiece.
Vipers play to their 5th draw of the season and a point takes them to 38, still aloft of the rest of the clubs.
This is the 9th draw for NEC, making it 24 points as they remain 7th on the 16-team log.
As the league takes a break to pave way for the Stanbic Uganda Cup (round of 32), Vipers will return to action at home against Lugazi on 4th March 2026 on match day 18.
NEC shall host army side UPDF on 3rd March 2026 at the MTN Omondi stadium (8:00 pm).
Team Line Ups:
Vipers SC XI: Alfred Mudekereza (GK), Bashir Mutanda, Enock Luyima, DaSylva, Hillary Mukundane, Tadeo Lwanga, Enock Ssebagala, Abdul-Karim Watambala, Chukwuma, Arafat Usama, Milton Karisa (Captain)
Subs: Dennis Kiggundu (G.K), Abubakar Walusimbi, Marvin Joseph Walusimbi, Katongole, Ogwang, Mbowa, Rogers Torach Ochaki, Yunus Sentamu, Mulongo, Kane
Head coach: Ivan Minnaert
NEC XI: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (G.K), Ibrahim Kiyemba, Gideon Odongo, Warren Buule, Ibrahim Musa, Joseph Seremba, Pius Obuya, Daniel Shabene, Rashid Kawawa, Richard Basangwa, Ssenoga Kagawa
Subs: Samson Kirya (G.K), Marvin Kavuma, Hakim Wandera, Shamwir Kimwero, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Joseph Dhata, Bayiga, Mutebi, Kulanga, Ronald Innocent Media, Sentamu Siraje
Head coach: Badru Kaddu
