STARTIMES UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
Saturday’s Result
URA FC 2-1 Vipers SC
Our outing to the Arena of Visions, Ndejje against URA FC on Saturday ended on a disappointing note as we suffered our second defeat of the season.
A sloppy start gave our opponents chance to dominate proceedings and eventually took the day, winning 2-1 in the game played under the scorching sunshine.
Shafik Kagimu and our former player Steven Mukwala scored a goal each for our opponents while Cesar Manzoki who came off the bench got our only goal on the day.
Coach Fred Kajoba made five changes from the team that had won against SC Villa with Allan Kayiwa replacing Dan Sserunkuma who pulled a muscle in the warm up.
Bobosi Byaruhanga fresh from helping the Uganda Hippos reach U20 AFCON finals started ahead of Karim Watambala in midfield.
The centre back pairing also changed with Bashir Asiku and Livingstone Mulondo coming in for suspended Halid Lwaliwa and Rashid Toha while Joseph Dhata replaced Paul Willa at right back.
Byaruhanga had our first attempt in the game in the 7th minute but his effort from a distance went wide.
Three minutes later, Dhata came to our rescue with a timely interception to deny Mukwala. On the other hand, we nearly found the opening minute later when URA FC defender Benjamin Nyakoojo nearly directed Disan Galiwango’s cross into his own net.
Kayiwa’s penalty appeal when Ashraf Mandela seemed to have held the ball inside the forbidden area was turned down by referee William Oloya.
It was URA FC who got the lead through Kagimu, five minutes from the break.
Upon restart, the gaffer called for changes, first bringing on Manzoki and Paul Mucureezi for Kayiwa and David Bagoole respectively.
A minute to the hour mark, Mukwala doubled the lead for the tax collectors despite being on the front foot.
Byaruhanga and Yunus Sentamu had attempts but were all thwarted by URA FC goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo. The former was later withdrawn and replaced by Richard Basangwa.
It was Manzoki who revived our hopes 16 minutes from time heading home from Galiwango’s cross.
The forward was later withdrawn after picking a knock and his place was taken by Jamil Kalisa.
Efforts to search for at least an equalizer were fruitless as the home side held on to claim maximum points.
The loss means we remain second on the log on 30 points ahead of our final first round game against KCCA FC at home next week on Saturday.
Copyright 2021 Vipers Sports Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.viperssc.co.ug as the source.