Vipers SC dropped more points in the Uganda Premier League after being held to a 1-1 draw by Maroons FC at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Sunday.
The Venoms needed a second-half equaliser from Kevin DaSylva Bady to salvage a point after Dickson Niwamanya had given the visitors the lead.
Vipers, who lost 1-0 to Entebbe UPPC in their league opener, had bounced back with victories over Ntugasaze and Blacks Power before Sunday’s stalemate.
Maroons took the lead when Niwamanya swept home from Abel Eturude’s pass after Vipers failed to deal with a long throw-in.
The hosts responded in the second half, with Bady finishing from close range after Cesar Manzoki had headed the ball into his path from Odili Chukwuma’s cross.
Manzoki, introduced as a substitute, nearly completed the comeback but fired wide after Ashraf Mandela delivered a good cross.
Karim Watambala also tested Maroons goalkeeper Derrick Ochan with a late free kick, while Gusto Mulongo headed over from a corner. Usama Arafat came close on two occasions but Vipers could not find a winner.
The result adds to an unconvincing start for the defending champions, who won last season’s league title under Ivan Minnaert without losing a match on the pitch. Their only defeat was recorded by forfeiture against Kitara.
Maroons, meanwhile, will take confidence from the draw following their 3-0 victory over Lugazi in their previous outing.
Vipers will next travel to Bukedea to face Kataka on October 15, with head coach Denis Lavagne under pressure to guide the team back to winning ways.
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