StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Tuesday’s Result
Onduparaka FC 0-0 Vipers SC
Vipers sports club could not breakdown a stubborn Onduparaka FC as we both settled for a goalless stalemate. However, it was a point earned than two dropped as the result enabled us to close the gap on leaders KCCA to three points with nine matches to go.
Coach Micheal Nam Ouma made just one change to the side that thumped Bright Stars 3-0 over the weekend as Rahmat Senfuka started in place of Karim Niyigizimana who dropped to the bench in a game marred by few opportunities at either side.
Neither team impressed during the opening stages of the game with Vipers the major culprits as we failed to string any passes together and the first meaningful attempt came in the 24th minute when Tom Masiko’s corner was flicked on by Halid Lwaliwa towards goal and only missed by inches.
Minutes later, we survived a scare when Vianney Sekajugo unbelievably mischewed a brilliant through ball from Amis Muwonge when scoring looked easy before Halid cleared the ball to safety.
In a desperate search for a breakthrough, Masiko picked a caution from a scramble for the ball which looked fair but Referee Ochom thought otherwise thus booking him and it greatly affected his display onwards as he reduced on the midfield challenges.
With two minutes added, a long throw in by Ibrahim Tembo was cleared as far as Aziz Kayondo whose pass was intercepted by Ezra Bida who raced unchallenged towards our goal in a one on one situation but his shot went wide with goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora totally beaten.
Half Time: Onduparaka 0-0 Vipers
Three minutes after the interval, Tito Okello tried a long range shot from a distance following a brilliant pass by Tembo but agonisingly went off target as frustration continued to grow amongst the Venoms.
The Caterpillars had another great chance with Sekajugo as the centre referee allowed a clear handball by him go unpunished but to everyone’s disbelief, the diminutive left winger to our relief, failed to convert arguably the best chance of the game.
Earlier before that miss, Tadeo Lwanga was booked for a reckless challenge on Sekajugo while towards the last twenty minutes, Ouma eventually made two rolls on the dice by bringing on Brian Nkuubi and Dan Sserunkuma for Masiko & Steven Mukwala respectively as he looked for the needed match winning moment.
Tempers flared towards the closing stages of the game as a stray empty bottle from Onduparaka fans behind Vipers goal, almost hit unnoticing Mutombora on the head before in his capacity as captain, Lwanga picked and handed it over to the referee.
Though a point enabled Vipers move within three points of the table leaders, the coach will not be happy with the lack of vibrancy from the team at a crucial stage of the season.
As the Venoms continue their ambition of retaining the Startimes Uganda Premier League crown, we host Express FC this Friday at St Mary’s stadium.
How the Venoms lined up:
- Fabien Mutombora
- Ibrahim Kiyemba
- Aziz Kayondo
- Ibrahim Tembo
- Halid Lwaliwa
- Tadeo Lwanga
- Rahmat Senfuka
- Tom Masiko (Brian Nkuubi)
- Steven Mukwala (Dan Sserunkuuma)
10 .Tito Okello - Innocent Wafula
Unused Subs:
Derrick Ochan
Henry Katongole
Karim Nizigiyimana
Abraham Ndugwa
Duncan Seninde