StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Friday’s Result
Bright Stars FC 1-3 Vipers SC
Vipers sports club came from a goal down to seal an impressive 3-1 victory away to Bright Stars FC on a bitterly cold Wankulukuku stadium following an afternoon downpour which left the field soggy.
Just five days after the triumphant win in the Pilsner Fufa Super 8 final, the Venoms were back at the same stadium in buoyant moods with a favourites tag all over the squad.

Donning the new red kit with white shorts and red stockings, Edward Golola lined his Vipers side up in a 4-1-3-2 formation with two changes from the 2-0 win over KCCA last time out as Rahmat Ssenfuka started in place of injured Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye while Allan Kayiwa took over duties ahead of Innocent Wafula.
The backline remained intact with Fabien Mutombora in goal behind a solid defence comprising of Paul Willa, Farouk Musisi, Bashir Asiku and Halid Lwaliwa while Siraje Ssentamu was the anchorman as Abraham Ndugwa played behind the two front runners Fahad Bayo and Dan Sserunkuma.
Bright Stars took a determined approach from the start not allowing Vipers room to settle or dictate matters as they tied up all loose ends thus chances were very few in the first half.

However the hosts took a lead against the run of play after Willa hesitated putting the ball to safety before making a foul and from the resultant free kick, Alfred Onek floated a high cross into the area which towering Enock Walusimbi headed past Mutombola into the far corner as the half ended 1-0.
Within three minutes from the second half kick off, Ndugwa equalised in the 48th minute with a close range tap in following a brilliant low cross from Bayo after being released by Asiku.

Minutes later, Sserunkuma had put the Venoms ahead stabbing a hard shot from a rebound after goalkeeper Nicholas Ssebwato failed to tame Bayo thunderbolt which he paried into the striker’s path to cooly convert.

Golola made three second half substitutions bringing on Tito Okello, Denis Mwemezi, Brian Nkuubi for Kayiwa, Sserunkuma and Ndugwa respectively to tighten up proceedings.
From then on, it was Vipers all over the field and the three time league champions should have had a third through Sserunkuma whose low shot was ably handled by goalkeeper Ssebwato after Bayo’s donkey work but Nkuubi soon put the game to bed.
It came from a free kick sparked by Bayo who was a nightmare for Bright Stars defenders, Farouk Katongole brought him down the box edge for a second bookable offence sending him off and Nkuubi sent a blockbuster to bury the game and secured the three points.

Line Ups:
Bright Stars XI: Sebwato Nicolas, Kaggwa Andrew, Sekitto Sam, Katongole Farouk, Walusimbi Enock, Sekajja Davis, Kacancu Augustine, Kalisa Jamil, Jungu Methodius, Onek Alfred and Angu James.
Vipers XI: Fabien Mutombora, Paul Willa, Farouk Musisi, Bashir Asiku, Halid Lwaliwa, Siraje Ssentamu, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Abraham Ndugwa, Dan Sserunkuma, Fahad Bayo & Allan Kayiwa.