Watambala wins it for Vipers against resilient Lugazi at Kitende

Uganda Premier League 2024-2025 (Match day 22):

• Vipers 1-0 Lugazi
• Soltilo Bright Stars 3-1 Police

Vipers Sports Club returned to their winning ways with a slim 1-0 home win over Lugazi at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Thursday night.

Midfielder Abdul-Karim Watambala who looked lively throughout the floodlit duel won the game for the Venoms with a well driven shot in the 66^th minute.

This was a perfect result for the home side who had lost 0-1 to rivals Sports Club Villa at the Muteesa II Wankulukuku stadium during the previous match day.

Right from onset of play, Vipers dominated play but finishing remained their underdoing thanks to the organization in the Lugazi backline.

Inside the opening 60 seconds of the game, Watambala executed a shot that found mid-season signing Isaac Ogwang in an off-side position.

Moments later, Angolan left footed midfielder Sukuya released Yunus Sentamu on the left but the former shot the side netting.

Vipers’ captain Allan Okello had a shot blocked by Joseph Othieno for the first corner of the game on four minutes as the Venoms continued with dominance.

By the 10^th minute, it remained a one-way traffic encounter when Lugazi’s goalkeeper Juma Mutebi tipped over Watambala’s shot from distance.

Vipers nearly took the lead when Sukuya’s shot was spilled by goalie Mutebi but forward Ogwang was slow to react for the rebound.

On 22 minutes, the hosts left back Enock Luyima executed a grounder that was cleared off by defender Joseph Othieno.

In the process, the ball hit midfielder Arshavin Bayo before flying to goalkeeper Mutebi.

Two minutes later, right back Grant Matisko delivered a cross from the right into Lugazi’s goal area that Othieno headed for safety.

On the half hour mark, Okello shot off-target from 30 yards’ distance before Lugazi countered with their own attack.

Industrious forward Freedom Mungudit attempted a shot but it was blocked by a forest of bodies on the edge of Vipers’ goal.

Ogwang, Watambala and Luyima had consecutive attempts off-target as the first half ended goal-less.

Upon resumption of the second stanza, the hosts resumed their dominance like in the opening half.

In the half’s opening move, Luyima laid the ball that was zero passed by Sukuya in the area for Ogwang who shot narrowly off target.

Defender Rogers Torach nearly scored from over 40 yards when his distant shot was tipped over by goalkeeper Mutebi in the 52^nd minute.

Moments later, Vipers’ Joseph Youngman Marvin had a successful drive towards the opposition before he shot over as he approached the goal area.

Lugazi called for their first change of the game when they introduced Ian Amanya for Derrick Mwanje minutes after the hour mark.

The break-through moment of the game came in the 66^th minute when Watambala’s left footed shot eluded the goalkeeper Mutebi into the bottom corner of the net.

Vipers’ defender Hilary Mukundane got cautioned for dangerous play in the 73^rd minute.

The visitors introduced forward Sam Ssemugugu for holding midfielder Hussein Ssenoga coming into the final quarter an hour of the game.

The would be second goal for the hosts was missed when Okello had the initial effort stopped by Mutebi and his rebound over the header hit the cross bar.

Sukuya curled the ball out from 20 yards, his final contribution in the game before he paved way for Kenneth Kimera.

Holding midfielder Siraje Ssentamu was also introduced for Ogwang as Vipers changed strategy in the final 10 minutes.

With four minutes of normal time to play, Vipers rested Abdul Kalanzi and Emmanuel Obua for the fresh legs of Norman Lumumba Eluzai and Moses Buga respectively.

Kimera had a late left footed effort kiss the goal post, an opportunity to double their scores missed.

1-0 the game ended, Vipers’ 16^th victory in 22 games as they make it 52 points, five from second placed NEC who have a game in hand, against UPDF on Friday, 5th April 2025.

This is the 8^th defeat for Lugazi in 22 matches, remaining in the 11^th position with 26 points.

Team Line Ups:

Vipers XI: Alfred Macumu Mudekereza (GK), Grant Matisko, Enock Luyima, Hilary Panuel Mukundane, Rogers Torach Ochaki, Joseph Marvin Youngman, AbdulKarim Watambala, Allan Okello (Captain), Yunus Junior Sentamu, Pedro Honjo Chimbiambinlu, Isaac Ogwang

Subs: Jack Komakach (G.K), Bashir Bravo Ssekagya (G.K), Livingstone Mulondo, Siraje Sentamu, Muhamed Salem Ekbad, Kenneth Kimera, Frank Katongole, Nico Wakiro Wadada, Paul Patrick Mbowa, Moses Waiswa Ndhondhi, Richard Matovu, Abubakali Walusimbi

Lugazi XI: Juma Mutebu (G.K), Joseph Othieno, Richard Ayiko (Captain), Emmanuel Obua, Patl Wasswa, Hussein Ssenoga, Ali Arshavin Bayo, Derrick Mwanje, Sharif Saaka, Abdul Kalanzi, Freedom Mungudit

Subs: Fahad Emuran (G.K), Moses Ojoaza Buga, Shafiq Avemah, Ian Amanya, Sam Ssemugugu, Rogers Atube, Norman Eluzai Brown Lumumba, Juma Ssejjabi, Muhammed Gift Lubega

Match officials:

Center Referee: Vincent Kavuma

1^st Assistant Referee: Ashiraf Katerega

2^nd Assistant Referee: Erasmus Turyatemba Maliro

Fourth official: Ismail Matovu

Match commissioner: Stellah Salma Otika Kairungi

Referee assessor: Amin Bbosa Nkono

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