Vipers lose ground in title race

StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Ndejje University FC 2-1 Vipers SC

Vipers sports club has totally failed to take advantage of KCCA’s inactivity in today’s StarTimes Uganda Premier League action by disappointingly losing to Ndejje University 2-1 away in Luweero.

This loss is a very big setback in our title ambitions as the Venoms remain glued at 45 points three behind the table leaders who though have a chance to stretch it further when they play Tooro United away in Fort Portal tomorrow.

Not many alterations were made to the starting team against Express as the Kenyan tactician looked for his sixth league win since he took over reigns at Kitende, Moses Waiswa together with Rahmat Senfuka started in place of injured Tom Masiko and Abraham Ndugwa respectively.

Despite a second position placing on the league log, our second round performance leaves a lot to be desired as we’ve lost 2 matches to struggling outfits, the lads totally lost last season’s sparkling form which saw us capture the league title in fascinating style.

Vipers failed to replicate the perfect performance against Express as the lads couldn’t settle allowing the students to match us pound for pound like it was during the first round encounter at Kitende before succumbing to a late Davis Kasirye strike and they dominated proceedings right from Referee Rajab Bakasambe’s kickoff whistle.

However, some signs of intent emerged as Tito Okello almost gave Vipers the lead in the 13th minute as Waiswa picked him with a teasing long pass but his weak header was cleared by Joseph Othieno before it crossed the goal line.

But moments later, laxity in the defence allowed Robert Eseru to put Ndejje University in the lead scoring at the near post after Ibrahim Kiyemba’s clearance header fell in the striker’s path to punish us with a cool finish.

Dan Sserunkuuma wasted another opportunity in the 34th minute after brilliantly exchanging passes with Tito but his final ball was wanting & moments later Okello hesitated to shoot a bouncing ball in the opponents area before Ndejje’s Othieno cleared it for safety to the relief of home supporters.

The hosts almost added a second after Anwaru Ntege unleashed a fierce shot which only missed the target by a few inches despite beating goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora as half time approached.

HT: Ndejje University 1-0 Vipers

Just minutes upon resumption, the Ndu lions captain Emmanuel Wasswa was booked for protesting the referee’s decision after Tito had been brought down and tempers flared as his actions incited students to start throwing objects to assistant referee Jane Mutonyi thus play had to be halted for 3 minutes but resumed when club authorities pleaded with rampaging fans to behave to which they obliged.

As Vipers desperately searched for the equaliser, Mutombora gifted the hosts a second goal as he fumbled with Halid Lwaliwa’s back pass kicking the ball to Ntege who scored in an empty to complicate matters further.

Ouma brought on Steven Mukwala, Diego Kizza & Brian Nkuubi for Sserunkuma, Senfuka and Kiyemba respectively moving Innocent Wafula to right back as Tito, Diego plus Mukwala formed a three man attack.

With his second touch of the ball, Kiiza was brought down in the forbidden area and Tito coolly converted the resultant penalty to give the fight back intentions a life line as Ndejje University bravely held on by wasting time unnecessarily.

Vipers youngster Aziz Kayondo got booked for rough play on Ndejje’s Noel Nasasira while Paul Dumba allowed emotions to take control over him when he stupidly protested the referee’s decision receiving a second caution to leave the pitch for an early shower.

The league’s destiny is completely out of our hands as we will now have to rely on other teams to tilt it back in the Venoms favour however the struggle continues as we engage Maroons in the next league match.

How Venoms lined up:

• Fabien Mutombora
• Ibrahim Kiyemba (Brian Nkuubi)
• Aziz Kayondo
• Ibrahim Tembo
• Halid Lwaliwa
• Tadeo Lwanga
• Innocent Wafula
• Rahmat Senfuka (Diego Kiiza)
• Dan Sserunkuma (Steven Mukwala)
• Moses Waiswa
• Tito Okello