StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Friday’s Result
Vipers SC 3-0 Bright Stars FC
Vipers Sports Club closed the gap on front runners KCCA FC after producing a brave performance as they thumped Bright Stars FC 3-0 at the St Mary’s stadium.
Youngster Aziz Kayondo started a third consecutive game together with Ibrahim Tembo who though this time was in a more defensive role as he partnered Halid Lwaliwa in central defence but again looked composed.
Captain Tadeo Lwanga also returned to the starting lineup while Steven Mukwala earned a rare start upfront as Coach Micheal Nam Ouma made changes to the team.
The Venoms showed early signs of intent as Mukwala registered a first shot on goal in the 3rd minute following a pass from Innocent Wafula though it lacked power to hurt the visitors.
However in the 5th minute, Vipers defence was caught off guard as Nelson Senkatuka deflected a goal bound shot from Farouk Katongole narrowly missing the target by inches to our relief.
And it was Mukwala responsible for the Venoms opener as he connected Aziz’s perfectly weighed assist from the left after the teenager nicely exchanged passes with Tito Okello in the 6th minute.
Tito should have made it 2-0 at the 21st minute mark but couldn’t meet a Mukwala pass from the left which went begging across Bright Stars goal line yet a tap in looked easy.
Vipers continued to search for another breakthrough to stretch the lead but the opponents applied dirty tactics as they desperately guarded their goal and Referee Mashood Ssali had to caution Aggrey Kirya, Alfred Onek plus Brian Enzama in a space of 22 minutes for unsporting behaviours.
Towards the half time breather, Tom Masiko forced a save from Benson Wagima out of a freekick on the box edge after Tadeo Lwanga had been brought down by Enzama as he raced towards the goal.
HT: Vipers 1-0 Bright Stars
Upon resumption of the second stanza, Vipers continued from where they had stopped when Masiko floated a freekick into the area which Wagima hesitated to meet and Tito brilliantly headed home in the far corner of the net for goal number two.
Moments later, Karim Nizigiyimana paved way for Rahmat Senfuka allowing Tito’s move to the right and later Abraham Ndugwa replaced Tito while Hamis Kiiza came on for Mukwala as Ouma looked to increase the tempo.
Another foul on Tadeo in the 73rd minute resulted into a freekick which man of the match Masiko delivered for Halid to register his name on the score sheet to completely put the game out of Bright Stars reach.
With four minutes to the end, Innocent missed infront of a yawning as he headed wide Ndugwa’s cross to the disbelief of jubilating fans and towards the final whistle, Tembo got himself booked as he brought down Senkatuka close to the centre line.
The lads held on for a crucial victory ahead of a titanic clash away in Arua against Onduparaka on Tuesday 26th February 2019 as pursuit of the league title intensifies.
Vipers SC Starting XI:
- Fabien Mutombora
- Ibrahim Kiyemba
- Aziz Kayondo
- Ibrahim Tembo
- Halid Lwaliwa.
- Taddeo Lwanga
- Tom Masiko
- Innocent Wafula
- Karim Niyizigimana (Rahmat Senfuka)
- Tito Okello (Abraham Ndugwa)
- Steven Mukwala (Hamis Kiiza)
well done venoms we are more than just a football club