Friday, May 15
•Vipers 1-1 Kitara
(Kitara progress on away goals rule)
Kitara have eliminated holders Vipers to storm the Uganda Cup final after a 1-1 draw in the return leg on Friday at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
The Royals progress on away goals rule, which is still applicable in Africa, after the first leg in Hoima ended goalless.
Gaddafi Wahab fired in for Kitara after Jimmy Kalema headed his way to send the Visitors ahead in the first stanza.
Karim Watambala equalised from the spot, after Referee George Olemu judged Yunus Sentamu had been brought down in the box.
And Vipers, who needed a win to progress, huffed and puffed in closing stages but failed to get a winner as Kitara held on.
It’s the second Uganda Cup final appearance for Kitara who won their maiden title back in 2024 under coach Brian Ssenyondo.
For Vipers, focus turns to Uganda Premier League where they lead second placed KCCA by three points with two games against Maroons (A) and Express (H).
Kitara leave Kitende unscathed
This is the latest chapter in an ever-growing rivalry, and Kitara fans will enjoy it for several reasons.
Last month, they travelled to Kitende and earned a point after a goalless draw in the league.
The first-leg meeting was never played after Vipers protested the then-new league format, a decision that ultimately saw them lose the match in the boardroom.
So when the two sides were paired together in the Uganda Cup, there was plenty at stake — pride and revenge included.
On their way to winning a maiden Uganda Cup title in 2024, Kitara knocked out Vipers in the quarterfinals.
Last year, however, Vipers got their revenge by eliminating Kitara in the semifinals on their way to completing a domestic double.
This time, the first leg ended goalless in a match where Kitara’s Jasper Aheebwa was fortunate to avoid a red card for a reckless challenge on Vipers captain Milton Karisa.
To be fair, Vipers also benefited from a questionable refereeing decision in the second leg, with Yunus Sentamu appearing to go down too easily for the penalty award.
Kitara, meanwhile, took advantage of a poor run of form from Vipers, with the draw marking their fifth in a row, including three in the league.
For Kitara, the league is out of sight after the 3-2 draw against Express, but they never looked bothered after that defeat in a game where they missed first choice goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige.
Whoever comes out of the other semifinal between URA and SC Villa, with the latter leading 2-0, Coach Wasswa Bbosa will remain confident of his team’s chances.
What next – Vipers visit Maroons while Kitara will also be away against BUL in the league, both games on Tuesday next week (May 19).
Players Used
Vipers – Denis Kiggundu, Ashraf Mandela, Derrick Ndahiro, Hillary Mukundane, Kevin Dasylva Bady, Enock Ssebagala, Taddeo Lwanga, Karim Watambala, Usama Arafat, Yunus Sentamu, Glodi Beyuku Munsi
Kitara – Meddie Kibirige, Jasper Aheebwa, Henry Musisi, Isa Lumu, Murushid Juuko, Yunus Sibira, Zaga Tumwesigye, Gaddafi Wahab, Patrick Kaddu, Kabon Living, Jimmy Kalema
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