StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Vipers SC 2-0 Express FC

Vipers sports club produced a sensational display to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory over Express moving level on points with table leaders KCCA FC and within touching distance in the race for the StarTimes Uganda Premier League title.

After a frustrating 0-0 away draw to Onduparaka on Tuesday, the Venoms had this opportunity to respond as ‘Mukwano gwa bangi’ headed to St Mary’s stadium and expectations were high on Vipers to bounce back.

Chosen Ones: Vipers starting XI for the epic clash against Express’ Red Eagles

The Kenyan born tactician Michael Nam Ouma made two changes to his starting lineup in Arua with Dan Sserunkuma and Abraham Ndugwa brought back into an exciting side ahead of Steven Mukwala and Rahmat Ssenfuka respectively.

With league title contenders KCCA playing tomorrow, Vipers desperately needed this win to ensure we kept up pace and it was no surprise to see us in control of the game right from Referee William Oloya’s first whistle.

Muted Celebration: Sserunkuma (C) cut a blank posture after scoring the opener against his former side Express.

Youngster Aziz Kayondo was again the Venoms conductor as his drive into the final third following a long pass from Halid Lwaliwa, crafted the opener as he laid the ball into the path of Sserunkuma who made light work of it for 1-0 in the seventh minute.

From this goal, Vipers continued probing for a second goal with constant raids in Express territory but were wasteful as Tito Okello, Sserunkuma and Innocent Wafula became culprits of poor finishing where it mattered most.

However, in the 26th minute, Ibrahim Kiyemba was booked for a challenge on Micheal Birungi who incidentally had a quite afternoon without any room to manoeuvre as Aziz Kayondo kept him at bay.

Proven Talents: Express’ John Revita (R) showcased his immense skill despite the results going the other way to Tito Okello’s Vipers.

Deep in added time, Sserunkuma missed a glorious opportunity to add on his tally when he kicked wide a defensive splitting cross by Kiyemba after a great spade work from Wafula thus Vipers went into recess 1-0 up.

HT: Vipers 1-0 Express

Minutes after kick off in the second half, Sserunkuma made amends when he coolly slotted home past goalkeeper Mathius Muwanga as Ndugwa threaded him through with a fine pass to register his fifth goal against Express in just two matches.

Joy Unlimited: Sserunkuma still stayed calm after scoring his second on the evening but couldn’t stop his teammates from holding back their emotions.

The league defending champions took the opportunity to rest after a comfortable lead deciding on retaining possession as the Red Eagles opted for damage limitation by sitting deeper in their own half as they registered only one shot on target from Birungi in the first half throughout the entire game.

In an attempt to increase on the lead, Ouma brought on Moses Waiswa, Steven Mukwala and Rahmat Ssenfuka in place of Ndugwa, Tito and Kiyemba respectively.

While on the other end, George Semwogerere introduced Odur Tony, Sadiq Ssekyembe & Pius Mbidde for Joel Male, Shafiq Kakeeto & Charles Lubega respectively but nothing much changed as the Venoms remained firmly in control of the proceedings.

Missed Chances: Halid Lwaliwa could have put the game beyond doubt with a third goal late on in the game.

However, Odur almost pulled one back for Express in the 83rd minute when he looped over the bar a brilliant pass from Lawrence Kigonya as goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora was already off his goal line.

Sserunkuma, Wafula and Waiswa all continued to push into the opponents half whenever possible, however, with the home side inches short of a third goal on a couple of occasions until the final whistle.

How the Venoms lined up:

  • Fabien Mutombora
  • Ibrahim Kiyemba (Rahmat Ssenfuka)
  • Aziz Kayondo
  • Ibrahim Tembo
  • Halid Lwaliwa
  • Taddeo Lwanga
  • Tom Masiko
  • Innocent Wafula
  • Dan Sserunkuma
  • Abraham Ndugwa (Moses Waiswa)
  • Tito Okello (Steven Mukwala)