UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
The Date: April 17th, 2025
The Contest: Vipers SC vs. NEC FC
The Time: 7pm
The Venue: St Mary’s Stadium
In what promises to be a pulsating StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) showdown, it will be first against second as Vipers SC host NEC FC at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende under the floodlights.
This fixture has all the makings of a title decider, with Vipers SC leading the standings with 53 points—just two ahead of NEC FC—after 23 matches played this season.
It’s a classic six-pointer, and both sides will be going all out to stamp their authority on the championship race.
Momentum and Mindset
The Venoms come into this fixture off the back of a resilient 2-2 draw away to Express FC at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo. Playmaker Allan Okello and striker Gusto Mulongo were the architects of the comeback, proving once again that Vipers have the depth and resolve to handle pressure.
NEC FC, meanwhile, showed their grit with a 2-1 victory over Kitara FC at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo in their most recent outing – another signal of their strong ambitions to dethrone the reigning giants.
Formidable Fortress: Kitende Record
Vipers SC remain unbeaten at home across all competitions this season.
In the league alone, they have claimed eight wins and three draws at Kitende, scoring 15 goals and conceding only four.
The St. Mary’s Stadium remains a fortress – a tough hunting ground for any visitor – and the Venoms will be banking on this form to push them over the line.
A Taste of Revenge?
The reverse fixture at the start of the season ended in heartbreak, as NEC stunned Vipers 3-1 at Lugogo.
Defender Livingstone Mulondo netted the consolation in what was a frustrating opener. But the Venoms had earlier knocked NEC out of the FUFA Super 8 tournament on the Away goals rule after a 1-1 stalemate over 180 minutes.
However, the last time these two sides met at Kitende in the league, Vipers were in ruthless form, dismantling NEC 4-1. That evening, Fumador Asiwome ran riot with a stunning hat-trick, while Yunus Sentamu also got on the scoresheet.
Head-to-Head: Evenly Matched
These two sides have met three times in league history.
- Games Played: 03
- Vipers Wins: 01
- Draws: 01
- NEC Wins: 01
- Goals Scored by Vipers: 05
- Goals Conceded: 04
The stats show how closely matched the teams have been in their short but intense history, adding extra intrigue to this evening’s encounter.
Coach’s Corner: Practical Football
Speaking ahead of the showdown, head coach Fred Muhumuza remained composed and focused, brushing off the media hype:
“The game has been hyped but it’s a game like any other Uganda Premier League game. We know a lot has been said, but the game of football is a practical one.”
Muhumuza emphasized preparation and mindset over pressure:
“We only mentor our players, give them the best tactics, and actually let them express themselves. So, what we have tried to do this week is work on the mentality of the players—the strong mentality, the character. And good enough, we have players who’ve been there before and they know what it takes in these closing games.”
“Regardless of whatever has been said, it’s the same mentality, same character as we go in for the game.”
Final Word
The Venoms are poised and focused. The title is within reach, and the big stage at Kitende under the floodlights awaits.
With the fans behind them and momentum building, Vipers SC are ready to deliver a statement performance.