StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Saturday’s Result
Vipers 2-2 Mbarara City FC
Vipers SC and Mbarara City FC had to settle for a point each after a richly entertaining game of two halves after playing to a 2-2 draw at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
Fahad Bayo scored twice in the second half but the Venoms could not hold on as Ibrahim Orit and Hillary Mukundane replied for Mbarara.
Vipers showed early intent, and Bayo thought he had put the Venoms ahead as he headed Allan kayiwa’s well timed cross, but his effort was cleared off the line by Mbarara skipper Mukundane.
Mbarara City scored the opening goal of the game after 20 minutes. Ibrahim Orit rose highest to nod home from Brian Ahebwa’s in-swinging cross at the near post.
Vipers were limited to few chances in attack, but in the 63rd minute, Rahmat Ssenfuka almost equalised but his effort from long range drew a brilliant save from Mbarara City’s custodian Mohamed Ssekeba.
The Kitende based side belatedly settled in the second half, occupying the full width of the pitch when in possession and making deeper inroads in the Mbarara third.
The Venoms took control in the second stanza when Bayo leveled matters with a brilliant solo effort. The forward picked up the ball with a brilliant turn, sprinting for more than 25 yards before slotting home past Ssekeba in the 65th minute.
Bayo was at it again, putting Vipers ahead in the tie for the first time, nodding home the side’s second in the 80th minute.
But their joy was short lived however, as two minutes later, Skipper Hillary Mukundane grabbed a leveler for the Ankole lions.
Abraham Ndugwa and Brian Nkuubi joined the fray for Vipers in the closing stages and the latter almost crafted a breakthrough with a golden opportunity at close range but his shot went inches wide.
The draw left Vipers SC fifth on the 16 team log with seven points albeit with two games in hand.
Vipers Starting XI:- Derrick Ochan, Paul Willa, Aziz Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa, Rashid Toha, Siraje Ssentamu, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Allan Kayiwa (Brian Nkuubi), Fahad Bayo, Denis Mwemezi (Dan Sserunkuma), Tito Okello (Abraham Ndugwa).
WHAT’S NEXT
We are next in Uganda Premier League action on Wednesday, October 2, against SC Villa at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole at 8:00pm.
