Whisper it quietly, but it might be turning into a decent season for Vipers after all.
With a Uganda Cup semi-final appearance and a spot at the summit of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) standings with four matches to go, the gloom that clouded the season’s early stages has significantly lifted.
On Saturday, May 3, the Venoms will contest their eighth Uganda Cup semi-final when they take on defending champions Kitara FC, who are making only their second-ever appearance at this stage.
The Semi-Final Stakes
In football, they say losing a semi-final or final hurts more than an early exit. Many players argue it’s less painful to bow out in the third round than at the penultimate hurdle. A semi-final is a game no one wants to lose.
To be one step away from a showpiece final only to miss out – that pain lingers. That’s why this clash against Kitara matters so much.
Luckily, Vipers have historically done well at this stage.
Uganda Cup Semi-Final History
• Total Semi-Final Appearances: 8
• Finals Reached: 7
• Only Defeat: SC Villa in 2009
• Longest Consecutive Runs: 2021, 2022, 2023
First & Only Defeat
Vipers’ first semi-final came in May 2009, falling 2-1 on aggregate to SC Villa. A double from Andrew Nkurunungi handed Villa a 2-0 first leg win. Although Vipers claimed a 1-0 win in the return leg through Andy Ssali, it wasn’t enough.
Defensive Record & Clean Sheets
• Clean Sheets: 11 out of 15 semi-final matches
• Matches failed to score: 4 (vs SC Villa 2009, KCCA 2016, SC Villa 2018, Bright Stars 2023)
• Goals Scored: 22
• Goals Conceded: 5
Goal Scoring Heroes
Six players are tied with two semi-final goals for Vipers: Tony Odur, Ceasar Okhuti, Ceasar Manzoki, Bright Anukani, Milton Karisa and Yunus Sentamu.
In total, 16 different players have scored for Vipers in Uganda Cup semi-finals.
Home Form in Semi-Finals
• Semi-Final Home Matches: 7
• Wins: 5
• Goals Scored: 13
• Goals Conceded: 3
Head-to-Head vs Kitara in Uganda Cup
• Vipers have never lost to Kitara in regulation time in Uganda Cup.
• 2015/16 Round of 16: Vipers 4-1 Kitara (Goals: Elias Ssekisambu x2, Keziron Kizito, Allan Kyambadde)
• 2022/23 Quarter Final: 2-2 after extra time; Kitara advanced 5-4 on penalties.
Vipers Semi-Final Record – At A Glance
2008/09: Vipers SC 0-2 SC Villa
SC Villa 0-1 Vipers SC
2011/12: Maroons FC 0-1 Vipers SC
Vipers SC 2-0 Maroons FC
2012/13: Vipers SC 2-0 URA FC
URA FC 0-1 Vipers SC
2015/16: KCCA FC 0-2 Vipers SC
Vipers SC 0-1 KCCA FC
2017/18: SC Villa 0-0 Vipers
Vipers 1-0 SC Villa
2020/21: Vipers SC 2-0 Police FC
2021/22: Mbarara City 1-2 Vipers SC
Vipers SC 4-0 Mbarara City
2022/23: Vipers SC 4-0 Bright Stars
Bright Stars 1-0 Vipers SC
Final Word
Vipers SC come into this clash with the edge in experience, history, and hunger. The road to yet another Uganda Cup final runs through Hoima— and with stats on their side, the Venoms are ready to strike.