UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
The Date: February 11, 2025
The Contest: Vipers SC vs. URA FC
The Time: 7pm
The Venue: St Mary’s Stadium
Following a lengthy break after the conclusion of the first round of the 2024/2025 Uganda Premier League season, Vipers Sports Club will return in action to continue their push for the championship, when they host URA FC at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Tuesday.
The game will present an opportunity for the Venoms to extend their fine run in the campaign, having ended the first half of the season with three victories on the bounce.
Asked about about facing a side he once handled and the long break, Coach Fred Muhumuza said “No strings attached it’s the nature of our job. First game will be tricky but the boys will pick themselves up its Vipers SC every game matters.”
“Second round is so tricky and demands total commitment with teams fighting for survival, bragging rights and good positions. Every game is a final and we expect tougher moments but the lads know what’s at stake.”
In our last three matches before the break, we beat Mbale Heroes FC 4-0, UPDF FC 1-0 and Maroons FC 1-0 last time out, at the St. Mary’s Stadium.
On the other hand, URA managed to edge Police FC 1-0 in their last engagement that wrapped up their first round.
Headed into the second round, Vipers sit top of the 16-team table with 34 points, one ahead of runner-up NEC FC after 15 games.
Meanwhile, URA, under our former tactician Alex Isabirye, lie fifth on the log with 24 points accumulated after 15 matchdays.
In our first round meeting, Vipers were comfortable 2-0 winners over the Tax Collectors, thanks to goals from Allan Okello and skipper Milton Karisa.
In our last meeting in Kitende last season, Vipers beat URA 2-0 in Kitende, thanks to strikes from Eric Kenzo Kambale and winger Abdu Lumala.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
URA FC 0-2 Vipers SC
URA FC 0-2 Vipers SC
Vipers SC 2-0 URA FC
Vipers SC 1-1 URA FC
URA FC 0-1 Vipers SC
HEAD-TO-HEAD: STATS
Meetings: 40
Vipers wins: 11
Draws: 13
Losses: 16
Goals for: 40
Against: 40
Points: 46
Team News:
Milton Karisa returned to training as he continues to recover from a muscle issue (partial tear of the quadriceps femoris muscle). The Skipper has been out of action since our win against Maroons FC, and has since undergone a month of rehab. However he took a significant step towards returning to first-team action when he was pictured running & doing gym.
New signing Marvin Joseph Youngman won’t be available for his debut return as he still serves his one match suspension for a red card he got when at Soltilo Bright Stars FC against Express FC.
Yunus Sentamu, who missed the game against Maroons FC at St Mary’s Stadium, is available again after serving his one-match suspension for accumulating three yellow cards.
Another new signing, Isaac Ogwang is in-line to make his debut after being named in the 23-man squad for tomorrow’s encounter.
Left back Derrick Ndahiro won’t be available as he continues to serve the second of his last match suspension following his sending-off at Bombo Military Grounds against UPDF FC.