Vipers fully test KCCA’s title credentials

StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Thursday’s Result

KCCA FC 1-1 Vipers SC

Vipers sports club produced a relatively fair performance but it wasn’t enough to give their title ambitions a desired life line when they were held to a one all draw by table leaders KCCA FC at Startimes Stadium this evening to stay within four points of the Kasasiro lads with five matches to wind up the season.

It was a must win fixture for the Kitende based side as a loss could have virtually ended our championship dreams however though its two points dropped tilting the race in the 12 time league champions hands, there is everything to play for between now till May.

Micheal Nam Ouma made alterations to his lineup against Maroons opting to start with Yayo Lutimba, Tadeo Lwanga, Moses Waiswa, Rahmat Senfuka and Hamis Kiiza ahead of Aziz Kayondo, Ibrahim Tembo, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Dan Serunkuuma and Steven Mukwala respectively as Innocent Wafula moved to the right back position.

Vipers got off to a promising start with a confident approach however we suffered an early setback when in the 14th minute, Halid Lwaliwa left the field limping and was replaced by Ibrahim Tembo causing a forced substitution which completely affected Ouma’s game plan.

In the 27th minute, KCCA earned a freekick within 40 yards following a foul on Allan Okello and Sulaiman Mutyaba almost gave them the lead with a thunderous strike which sailed over the bar with goalkeeper Derrick Ochan beaten & just a minute later, there was joy coupled with ecstasy when Brian Nkuubi struck from a goal mouth melee for Vipers lead.

Towards the closing stages of the first half, Yayo Lutimba found himself in Referee Brian Miiro Nsubuga’s book for time wasting when he hesitated to take a free kick after Masiko had been fouled.

A compacted midfield perfectly handled KCCA’s threat within the middle pack as they restricted them to only long range efforts from set pieces without any meaningful assault on Vipers goal as the lads controlled proceedings throughout the whole first half.

The Venoms held on to go into the interval leading 1-0.

Before commencement of the second stanza, KCCA gaffer Mike Mutebi made a tactical change by bringing on Patrick Kaddu and Gift Ali for youngster Sadat Anaku & Jackson Nunda and the tide of the game completely shifted as just like against Maroons, the Venoms went off the boil allowing the hosts to take control.

And constant raids on our goal immediately started as Mustafa Kizza forced a save from Ochan after exchanging quick passes with Allan Okello and it was evident an equaliser was on the way as the boys failed to regain the first half fluency thus it was moments later as a poor defensive work saw Okello releasing Mike Mutyaba with a defence splitting pass and the diminutive forward made no mistake beating Ochan with a cool finish.

Innocent Wafula was later cautioned for foul play before Masiko’s freekick nearly restored Vipers lead only for Nsubuga to call for an infringement on Charles Lukwago as Tadeo Lwanga tried to tap the ball over the line.

In an attempt to restore dominance, the Kenyan tactician sent on Abraham Ndugwa in place of Tom Masiko while youngster Aziz Kayondo came in for Moses Waiswa to tighten loose ends on the left flank as Yayo was carrying a caution yet all the home team’s penetrations were now coming through that wing.

The table leaders continued to run rings around our midfield creating numerous chances without any breakthrough as Kaddu missed two glaring chances in succession, one hit the side net while the other, he headed over the bar and Okello couldn’t connect infront of a yawning net to his own disbelief.

More sloppy work at the back from Vipers almost saw KCCA grab a second as Ochan came to our rescue with a fine save when faced one on one by Muzamir Mutyaba and at the other end, Hamis headed wide Aziz’s cross while Nkuubi fluffed a golden opportunity to win it for Vipers hitting a perfect through ball into the skies when scoring looked easy.

The Venoms temporarily regained control and pilled some pressure as KCCA took foot off the gas pedal and in trying to contain the situation, Hassan Musana was cautioned for blocking on running Wafula but from a counter attack, Tembo made a block when Sulaiman Mutyaba tried a shot on our goal.

Mutyaba was later replaced by Lawrence Bukenya in Mutebi’s final call after he suffered a knock out of Tembo’s challenge and we survived later when Kaddu hit the upright from Kizza’s cross to the relief of Kitende faithful.

Tembo was booked as the fouth official showed a minimum of two minutes which elapsed without a meaningful breakthrough hence it ended 1-1 and as it looks, the garbage collectors remain in control with a four point lead.

Nicholas Kasozi of KCCA was voted Pillsener man of the match after a brilliant display.

Vipers Starting XI:

• Derrick Ochan

• Innocent Wafula

• Yayo Lutimba

• Henry Katongole

• Halid Lwaliwa (Ibrahim Tembo)

• Taddeo Lwanga

• Brian Nkuubi

• Moses Waiswa (Aziz Kayondo)

• Tom Masiko (Abraham Ndugwa)

• Rahmat Senfuka

• Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza