By Denis Turyahebwa
Vipers won the battle for supremacy against rivals KCCA FC 1-0 in the Star-Times Uganda Premier League fixture on Wednesday at St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende in the closing game of round one.
READ ALSO: Spy Uganda CEO Applies To Become Toro Golf Club Member
The game started with a high tempo with KCCA’s Charles Lukwago making a brilliant save in the seventh minute to deny Disan Galiwango’s freekick from kissing the net.
With just 21 minutes played, the Kasasiro boys got it’s first upset with their most on-form midfielder Charles Lwanga picking up a nasty head injury and was replaced by Brian Aheebwa.
Both sides made wonderful defending until the 39th minute when defender Peter Magambo connected the ball into his own net to give the hosts three points to the Venoms.
READ ALSO: UPL: KCCA, Onduparaka Risk Indefinite Ban For Violating Covid-19 SOPs, Sanctioned By FUFA
Kajoba’s boys collected two yellow cards in the first half and the third in the second half with Aziz Kayondo registering the Venoms first yellow in the 40th minute for tackling KCCA’s Brian Aheebwa.
Moments later skipper Yunus Ssentamu was also booked before Karim Watambala was also cautioned for a nasty challenge on Steven Sserwadda in the 52nd minute.
On the other hand, Peter Magambo had been booked for fouling Watambala in the 9th minute.
Mike Mutebi subbed off Gift Ali for Musana just six minutes into the second half before he brought on Keziron Kizito to replace Andrew Kigozi ten minutes later.
KCCA made a dangerous attack in the 65th minute but Striker Sadat Anaku’s bicycle kick went wide.
READ ALSO: UPL: Express Thumb Police As UPDF, Wakiso Giants Go Draw
On the other hand, Kajoba made four substitutes bringing on Paul Mucurezi for Dan Sserukuma 63rd minute, Richard Basangwa and David Bagoole replacing Yunus Ssentamu and Karim Watambala respectively in the 72nd and finally, Shaban Muhammad coming for Cesar Manzoki in the 85th minute in pursuit to seal a hard-fought victory.
The venoms’ captain Halid Lwaliwa who is ill was replaced with Paul Willa who has finished serving his suspension owing to accumulated cautions and Aziz Kayondo returned to the starting line following his splendid performances at the U20 Afcon in Mauritania though he was rested against URA.
The encounter came with only three points separating the two giants and KCCA had won three matches that are against Soltilo Bright Stars FC, Busoga United and Kyetume FC, drawn twice with Express FC and Wakiso Giants FC as well as suffering two defeats to SC Villa and BUL FC managing to score 11 goals conceding 7 out of the seven away fixtures.
READ ALSO: FUFA Meets National Council Of Sports As Monitoring & Evaluation Of National Federations Kick Off
KCCA had never failed to score in each of the 14 matches they have played this season hence but the history ended by their own defender Magambo.
Vipers came into this game having won seven of their last games played at Kitende while KCCA was unbeaten in their previous five matches having collected 13 points from the possible 15.
Coach Fred Kajoba had said before the match that he had set his team well both mentally and physically to crash KCCA FC.
“We are playing at home and it’s important for us to do our best and end the first round well,” he noted.
Vipers’ win puts them to 33 points in second place behind URA who secured three points against Onduparaka at the green light stadium to go to 36 three points clear on top.
