UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
Tuesday’s Result
Arua Hill SC 0-1 Vipers SC
Vipers SC put up a show of character, grit and guile as they narrowly beat Arua Hill SC 1-0 in the Uganda Premier League at the Barifa Stadium on Tuesday.
Abubakar Lawal netted in the first minute to guide the Venoms to an important victory in the West Nile. It was also our first win at Barifa Stadium.
Vipers stayed put in third with 39 points in 20 games. We are now four points behind table leaders SC Villa, who have played 23 games.
In the tightly contested encounter, the 26th minute, the home team nearly found a leveler but custodian Fabien Mutombora pushed wide a Rashid Toha header after an Allan Mugalu freekick.
In the 40th minute, we had a goal contentiously ruled out for a close offside call, after Lawal had beaten Rodgers Omedwa.
As halftime loomed large, the Venoms thought they had doubled the lead, but Karim Ndugwa headed inches wide a great Garcia Mpongo cross-pass.
Milton Karisa, in the 48th minute, had his well-taken shot denied by Omedwa with a decent save.
The hosts also had an Innocent Media goal ruled out for offside in the 50th minute, leaving Alex Isabirye’s charges in charge.
Arua Hill then had an Isaac Ogwang bicycle kick denied by an excellent save from Mutombora, who was brilliant all evening.
Karisa was unlucky in the 96th minute as his header from a brilliant ball from Dissan Galiwango crashed against the woodwork, leaving the scoreline at 1-0.
Vipers will return to action with a mouthwatering Saturday tie against Villa at the Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.
How Vipers Lined Up:
Vipers SC: Fabien Mutombora (GK), Livingstone Mulondo, Siraje Ssentamu, Ashraf Mandela, Hilary Mukundane, Isa Mubiru, Disan Galiwango, Garcia Mpongo, Abubakar Lawal, Milton Karisa (C), Karim Ndugwa.
Substitutions: Denis Kiggundu, Cromwel Rwothomio, Najib Yiga, Rogers Torach, Karim Watambala, Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye, Ibrahim Orit.