Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC tamed Kitara FC 2-1 in a hugely contested game at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende floodlights on Thursday.
A Bright Anukani brace helped the Venoms to three important points, as they stayed second with 23 points in ten games.
On the evening, Vipers should have been ahead in the 11th minute, but Yunus Sentamu struck inches wide after being presented with a goalkeeper-to-beat opportunity.
Less than a minute later, Kitara broke the deadlock through a calm Jude Ssemugabi finish past goalkeeper Jack Komakech.
It should have been a leveller for the Venoms in the 14th minute, but Karim Watambala’s effort was superbly saved by goalkeeper Chrispus Kusiima.
Kitara then threatened again three minutes later, but Jasper Aheebwa struck the post to leave it 1-0.
Three minutes to half-time, Vipers grabbed a leveller through a calmly-taken penalty from Anukani after Sentamu got felled in the box.
In the 48th minute, Vipers made it two through a superb Anukani dinking finish off a sublime pass from substitute Allan Okello.
Okello nearly made it three in the 65th minute, but goalkeeper Kusiima leaped like a salmon to thwart him.
With three minutes to the 90, Kitara thought they had equalized but the goal was called for offside after Dudu Ramadan’s header.
Vipers will hope to keep their run going forward when they visit Maroon FC at the Luzira Grounds on December 13.
How We Lined Up:
Jack Komakech (GK), Rogers Torach, Livingstone Mulondo, Richard Matovu, Siraje Ssentamu, Milton Karisa (C), Abdu Lumala, Erick Kambale, Yunus Sentamu, Bright Anukani, Karim Watambala.
Substitutions: Fabien Mutombora, Ashraf Mandela, Murushid Juuko, David Bagoole, Rodriguez Shamamba, Abubakar Lawal, Allan Okello, Mohamed Salem, Fumador Asiwome, Enock Luyima, Abubakali Walusimbi.