By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
Vipers SC came from a goal down to defeat Proline FC 4-2 in one of the four Uganda Premier League games played on Tuesday.
Fahad Bayo and Denis Mwemwezi each scored a brace for the Venoms who registered their biggest away victory of the season. The victory sees Vipers move seven points clear at the top of the log with 42 points from 17 games.
Diego Kizza and Hakim Kiwanuka got the two consolation goals for Proline FC, who remain bottom of the standings with just 12 points. Vipers SC came into the game having won 12 of their first 16 league games and looked intent on adding another victory.
Despite going down moments later, the Venoms responded swiftly as Mwemwezi equalized, Fahad Bayo had headed an Aziz Kayondo cross just wide and the striker who scored 9 first-round goals should have been disappointed with himself for not making the keeper work.
The pacey winger capitalized on poor communication between Proline defender Yusuf Mukisa and goalkeeper Hassan Matovu, heading into an empty net.
Mwemwezi who was full of running down the right, crossed for Paul Mucureezi who shot first time before his effort was parried by Matovu into the path of Bayo to slot in the second goal.
Karim Watambala sent a corner into the Proline area which was not held onto by Matovu and found its way to Rahmat Ssenfuka who controlled and shot first-time at Matovu before the ball found its way to Mwemwezi to net his second of the afternoon.
In a first half that exhibited poor defending, Vipers were dealt two huge blows as they saw both Siraji Ssentamu and captain Halid Lwaliwa limp off and replaced by Ibrahim Tembo and Jacob Okao.
Vipers’ fourth goal would come in form of a penalty on 59 minutes as Bayo converted from the spot after Ibrahim Ssendi brought down Mwemwezi in penalty area.
Mwemwezi found himself in a good position at the start of the second half but shot straight at Matovu from an acute angle after dribbling past Ibrahim Ssendi and leaving him for dead.
Proline are not known for their defending as the team has been built around a possession based attacking brand of football.
After taking the lead inside 9 minutes through former Vipers SC striker Diego Kizza, they laterally fell apart defensively.
First, the combination of Mukisa and Matovuu somehow allowed Mwemwezi to head in the opener as they could not clear a routine ball.
The custodian parried a Mucureezi weak effort into the path of Bayo to net the second before he failed to deal with Watambala’s corner in the build up to the third.
How Both Teams Started
Proline FC
Hassan Matovu (GK), Ibrahim Ssendi, Joseph Mandela, Ibrahim Wamannah, Richard Ajuna, Bright Anukani, Diego Kizza, Yusuf Mukisa, Anorld Sserunjogi, Hakim Kiwanuka, James Begesa.
Vipers SC
Derrick Ochan (GK), Paul Willa, Aziz Kayondo, Geoffrey Wasswa, Halid Lwaliwa, Siraji Ssentamu, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Karim Watambala, Denis Mwemwezi, Paul Mucureezi, Fahad Bayo
Other results played of Tuesday
-SC Villa 0-1 Busoga United FC
-Onduparaka FC 1-1 Maroons FC
-Bright Stars FC 2-1 KCCA FC
Other games will be played on Wednesday January 15, 2020
· Mbarara City Vs Wakiso Giants – Bombo
· BUL Vs URA – FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru
· Kyetume Vs Tooro United – Mighty Stadium, Jinja SSS
· Police Vs Express – Lugogo
