Friday’s Result
Maroons JT 2-1 Vipers JT
Our U19 team suffered a shock defeat on Friday evening going down 2-1 to Maroons Junior Team in Luzira in the Fufa Juniors League.
Ali Ismael opened the score for Maroons in the 13th minute from a defensive blunder before Allan Mabirizi’s free kick eluded goalkeeper Mutwalib Mugolofa and entered the back of the net in 35th minute to give the hosts a commanding lead in the opening half.
The hosts capitalised on counter attacks using Vipers’ right wing from the start and their strategy indeed yielded fruits with two first half goals after Vipers custodian Mugolofa was caught napping.
Vipers pressed forward and made a couple of raids at the hosts’ goal but the back line was as solid as a rock thwarting all the danger away.
Sam Ssenyonjo could have pulled back one for the reigning champions but his effort went wide for a goal kick while Najib Iga also directed his volley off target.
Vipers came into this game needing to win and leapfrog KCCA Soccer Academy to the top but the result went otherwise.
However in the second half, Ronald Ssali’s side quickly regained their composure and piled more pressure, holding midfielder Aristotle Rutuga was replaced by attacker Sula Mpanga whose relentless crosses in Maroons’ final third made them uncomfortable.
The youngsters had another chance when Ssenyonjo controlled Aziz Kayondo’s pass well but delayed to fire at goal losing it to the opponent.
Moments later Mpanga delivered a powerful cross which Kayondo received well in the box but got fouled for a penalty that Iga Najib converted to make the score 2-1 taking his goal tally to 15 goals so far.
With less the 15 minutes to full time, Maroons threw their bodies in the back and defended well to make sure the game ends in their favor.
The result left Vipers coach Ronald Ssali quite disappointed pointing at the careless mistakes from some players that cost the team maximum points.
“We had more chances than them but failed to convert them and eventually they punished us through some mistakes. We have to now shift our focus to the next game and hope for the best.”
Ronald Ssali, Vipers JT head coach
Vipers remain second in the Treble group with 36 points, two adrift KCCA.
The Juniors will have a chance to redeem themselves when they host Ndejje University JT next Wednesday at the St Mary’s stadium.
st mary’s soccer academy should be the home of next generation super footballers
vipers should put more emphasis on manufacturing promising players who are either
promoted to the first team or who are sold in the markert for large chunks of money