Football

Vipers tighten grip on title after passing KCCA test

Vipers tighten grip on title after passing KCCA test

Wednesday, April 29
•Police 2-0 UPDF
•Entebbe UPPC 2-0 Calvary
•Buhimba 0-2 Lugazi
•KCCA 1-1 Vipers


Vipers SC kept their Uganda Premier League title defence on track after holding KCCA FC in a closely contested clash at Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, on Wednesday night.

KCCA FC looked set to walk away with maximum points — a result that would have cut the deficit to four — only to concede a late equaliser from substitute Beyuku Glodi Munsi.

Ivan Ahimbisibwe had given the hosts the lead, converting from the spot in the 34th minute after being brought down in the area by Kevin Da Sylva Bady.

But just when KCCA thought they had done enough, they were undone late on. Karim Watambala set up Beyuku, who powered the ball past goalkeeper Mutwalib Mugolofa in the 88th minute.

Vipers arguably deserved a point, having seen two goals ruled out for offside earlier — a contentious call against Enock Ssebagala and another involving Chukwuma Odili.

In the end, a draw felt like a fair outcome as the two sides battled in front of a record crowd at Lugogo.

Vipers continue title march

Having passed the KCCA test, Vipers appear firmly on course to defend their title and claim an eighth Uganda Premier League crown.

They arrived at Lugogo determined to preserve their unbeaten run on the pitch this season — and they did just that. Their only “loss” remains a boardroom decision after failing to show up for a fixture against Kitara.

For long stretches of the second half, however, the Venoms looked vulnerable and struggled to create clear-cut chances, raising the prospect of their first on-field defeat of the campaign.

They had earlier threatened in the first half, and Ssebagala’s disallowed goal — wrongly flagged offside — could have proved decisive had they gone on to lose.

The forward appeared onside, and the assistant referee may have mistakenly judged Yunus Sentamu to have interfered with play.

With a seven-point cushion at the top — regardless of the outcome of the Kitara fixture — Vipers seem to have cleared one of their biggest hurdles.

Their best chances came in the first half, including a fine save from Mugolofa to deny Ssebagala after a brilliant move initiated by Sentamu on the left.

Next up for Vipers are fixtures against URA (H), Police (A), Maroons (A) and Express (H).

Another empty season at Lugogo

KCCA FC’s season continues to unravel, and not just because of the late equaliser.

They came into the match on the back of a damaging 1-0 defeat to Calvary in Yumbe, and while a win on Wednesday would have reduced the gap, the title race would still not have been entirely in their hands.

Victories in big games often define a season — lifting fans and easing pressure on the technical bench — but that opportunity slipped away.

Co-coach Brian Ssenyondo had earlier promised silverware this season, but their most realistic chance disappeared in the Uganda Cup, where they surrendered a two-goal lead to URA FC in the quarterfinals at Nakivubo.

Their faint hopes in the league — a title they have not won since 2018 under Mike Mutebi — now look completely extinguished.

Seven points adrift, KCCA would need a dramatic collapse from Vipers to revive their chances, especially with Kitara and SC Villa also in the mix.

For now, it points to another trophyless campaign, though they will aim to finish strongly in their remaining fixtures against Maroons (H), UPDF (A), URA (A) and Mbarara City (H).

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