‘Unfortunate’ Bayo red card condemns Vipers to stalemate in derby

STARTIMES UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE

March 06, 2020 @Kabaka Kyabaggu Sports Stadium, Wakisha

Wakiso Giants 0-0 Vipers SC

Red card: 35’ Fahad Bayo

Man of Match: Gaddafi Wahab

Vipers Sports Club could have gone into the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) break with a brimming smile.

But the Venoms will do with a ‘rueful grin’ after they left the Kabaka Kyabaggu Sports Stadium in Wakisha with just one point after enduring a scoreless stalemate with Wakiso Giants FC on Match Day 25 of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL).

The hype in the build-up to the Wakiso Derby hinted to a goal-laden affair but it was all in vain and instead it was striker Fahad Bayo’s red card in the 35th minute that offered the biggest talking point of match.

Incident detail

Bayo was guilty of ‘intentionally’ handling the ball with both hands to halt the Wakiso Giants’ Ayub Kisalita from launching a seemingly delicious attack.

But referee Shamirah Nabadda’s decision to show the striker a straight red card in a situation that wasn’t an obvious goal-scoring opportunity didn’t project the lady in the middle in good light as it left many looking for the right interpretation of the incident in the rule book.

Bayo’s aftermath plea fell on a deaf ear as the red card was irreversible to the dismay of Vipers’ dugout and travelling fans since their brightest prospect in the encounter thus far had been given marching orders.

Before he was sent off, Bayo had come close twice; he had his header off Geoffrey Wasswa’s free-kick in the area rattle the crossbar while his other shot from a tight angle was kept out by Wakiso Giants’ goalkeeper Derrick Emukule.

Glaring chances

There were other gilt-edged chances. Attacking midfielder Paul Mucureezi, too, had his chance go begging. He strolled forward, exchanged some deft touches with Innocent Wafula, but his resultant hit agonisingly went over the bar.

Then substitute Denis Mwemezi was denied by Emukule after he was put through by Tito Okello and later he also headed wide from a position at the near post when anything on target seemed destined to win the game for Vipers.

There were a few other goal skirmishes for both sides throughout the match even in the second stanza with the hosts’ best chance falling to Faizul Anin.

Our custodian Fabien Mutombora, though, stood tall to avert any such threats as the Venoms and Purple Sharks settle for a point apiece.

Fate stays in our hands as we move to 54 points, four above KCCA in second as Wakiso Giants, who failed to benefit from their numerical advantage for at least an hour, ascend to joint 10th with Kyetume on 30 points.

A look at Vipers’ last five matches

05/05/20: Vipers vs Busoga United

08/05/20: Tooro United vs Vipers

16/05/20: Vipers vs Bright Stars

20/05/20: Express vs Vipers

23/05/20: Vipers vs Police

Vipers SC XI

Fabien Mutombora, Paul Willa, Geoffrey Wasswa, Ahmed Amayo, Innocent Wafula, Ibrahim Tembo, Paul Mucureezi (60’ Denis Mwemezi), Karim Watambala (43’ Bobosi Byaruhanga), Abraham Ndugwa (49’ Tito Okello), Allan Kayiwa, Fahad Bayo,

Unused Substitutes

Derrick Ochan, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Dan Sserunkuma, Umar Kyebatala.