StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Wednesday’s Result 

Vipers SC 2-0 Maroons FC

Vipers Sports Club kept up the chase on leaders KCCA FC with a committed  performance as they overcame resilient  Maroons FC at the St Mary’s stadium.

The Venoms went into this fixture with a commanding head to head against the prison warders at seven wins, four draws and no loss in the previous 11 meetings.

As expected, the league defending champions controlled the opening stages right from Referee Ronald Madanda’s first whistle missing three opportunities within the first five minutes through Henry Katongole who failed to tap a rebound from goalkeeper Emmanuel Akol after he spilled Steven Mukwala’s header following a Tom Masiko freekick.

And just moments later, Mukwala missed a glaring opportunity from Innocent Wafula’s delivery as the ball went out begging before Dan Sserunkuuma followed suit with two misses in succession at each near post of the goal.

It continued to be a one way traffic as the lads searched for a vital breakthrough and in the 25th minute, Akol punched Wafula’s cross onto Sserunkuuma’s legs but only scrolled out for a goal kick. 

Maroons finally registered a first shot on Vipers goal in the 29th minute when Pius Obuya struck a left footed shot which despite beating goalkeeper Derrick Ochan, went off target to the relief of our faithful.

The consistent pressure paid dividends six minutes towards the interval when Masiko converted from the spot after Branson Nsubuga brought down on running Aziz Kayondo leaving Mandanda no option but awarding a penalty and a caution went to Silvester Okello for desent as he protested angrily without listening to anyone.

Half time: Vipers 1-0 Maroons 

The second half followed a different line as Maroons began to open up Vipers and almost equalised when Ronald Orombi found a stray ball outside Vipers territory but his shot went over the bar before Akol forced a save from Sserunkuuma’s shot on the break.

Maroons coach Robert Sekweyama made the first change bringing off Alex Wogalo for Sheif Batte whose introduction brought more life into the visitors play and kept the Venoms at the receiving end for long spells.

Coach Micheal Nam Ouma later brought on Moses Waiswa replacing Masiko trying to regain control of the midfield instead the visitors continued to dictate proceedings.
Infact the prison warders almost capitalised on our second half sloppiness as Orombi’s well struck shot went a few inches out, a miss they dearly paid for as minutes later Brian Nkuubi made it 2-0 with a thunderous strike.

Oringa Emmanuel and veteran Wagaluka Dan were introduced for Branson Nsubuga and Felix Okot in a desperate attempt to get back into the game while Sserunkuuma together with Ibrahim Tembo made way for Duncan Sseninde and Rahmat Ssenfuka respectively.

Three minutes to the final whistle, Obuya failed to convert from the penalty mark in arguably their best chance of the evening after Ssenfuka handled the ball in a goal mouth melee but the boys held on for a crucial victory keeping the league title dream alive.

Vipers defender Ibrahim Kiyemba was voted Man of The Match (MoTM) which comes along with one hundred thousand shillings to crown a perfect rehearsal ahead of our visit to StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo for a must win fixture next week.

Vipers Starting XI:

  • Derrick Ochan

 Ibrahim Kiyemba

Aziz Kayondo

Halid Lwaliwa

Henry Katongole

Ibrahim Tembo (Rahmat Ssenfuka)

Brian Nkuubi

Tom Masiko (Moses Waiswa)

Innocent Wafula

Dan Sserunkuuma (Duncan Sseninde)

Steven Mukwala