Stanbic Uganda Cup
SC Villa 0-0 Vipers
Mutessa II War Memorial Stadium, Wankulukuku
Sunday, 27-05-2018
The first semi-final match of the 2017/18 Uganda Cup between Sports Club Villa Jogoo and Vipers ended scoreless at Mutesa II War Memorial Stadium in Wankulukuku on Sunday.
The match saw several incidents of hooliganism exhibited by fans of both sides during and after the game.
The action though, on the field of play failed to produce any goal in normal time and a lot shall be played for in the return leg coming up in a week’s time.
Vipers’ Duncan Sseninde shot wide from 25 yards with a decent attempt on target inside the first five minutes to send signals that the league champions are out on hunt for the double this season.
The Jogoos’ captain Bernard Muwanga reacted immediately with a rare try at the opposition goal a minutes later.
On eight minutes, Vipers goalkeeper Ismail Watenga reacted quickly and ran off his line to thwart Kyambadde following a good through ball from midfielder Nicholas Kasozi.
On 15 minutes, there were two gun shots fired in the air to disperse fighting rowdy fans in the stands as calmness was restored immediately.
Vipers’ hard tackling midfielder Tadeo Lwanga became the first player to be cautioned by FIFA Referee William Oloya after a nasty tackle onto Nicholas Kasozi midway the first half.
Left back Yayo Lutimba had a turn and shoot attempt from 25 yards spilled by SC Villa Jogoo goalkeeper Samuel Kivumbi who started in goal ahead of the first choice Samson Kirya.
With ten minutes to the end of the first half, Sports Club Villa left back Arthur Kiggundu brought down the overlapping Vipers captain Nico Wakiro Wadada 40 yards away.
Lutimba’s resultant free-kick was well blocked by the defensive wall.
On the 37th minute, the match was halted after a section of fans started throwing stones and other objects at the Vipers bench, leading to the Venoms substitutes and technical team entering the field of play and prompting the referee to stop the game for close to 10 minutes.
Calmness was restored after SC Villa right back Joseph Nsubuga and club CEO Vally Mugwanya pleaded with the fans and the game resumed moments later.
Upon restart, the Jogoos had a penalty appeal turned down when Nsubuga’s delivery from the right seemed to have hit the hand of defender Halid Lwalilwa and out for only a corner.
Moments later, Kyambadde had a shot from 20 yards miss target by inches as the home side pushed forward for the much needed break-through goal.
Seven minutes to the end of the opening half, Lwanga maliciously brought down Kyambadde inside the SC Villa Jogoo half and tempers charged up as players nearly fought with the Jogoos calling for a second booking to be shown to their former player.
Half time ended goal-less and was soon followed by more violence.
As Vipers players exited the pitch through the VIP section, Villa fans throw stones and other objects at them one of which landed on the chest of Vipers coach Miguel da Costa who was rushed to hospital aboard the match ambulance.
Meanwhile, a big bulk of Vipers players were held up in the VIP section of the historic stadium before they returned to the playing area and rested.
Vipers’ Tadeo Lwanga, captain Nico Wakiro Wadada and assistant coach Edward Golola were both seen speaking on a mobile cell phone while on the field of play.
More security personnel were deployed but restart of the second half was delayed for over 20 minutes.
In the second half, Vipers’ substitute Brian Nkuubi tested goalkeeper Samuel Kivumbi with a fierce long range free-kick as the shot stopper spilled the ball for a fruit-less corner.
On the other side, Villa’s substitute Alex Kitata had a decent header off Joseph Nsubuga’s cross from the right saved by goalkeeper Watenga with less than five minutes to play.
Kitata once again outstretched Watenga as SC Villa Jogoo won a corner at the death.
Goal-less the match ended ahead of the return leg slated for Wednesday, June 6th 2018 at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
More live bullets and tear gas canisters were fired in the air at the very end of the match to disperse the fans who had started throwing stones at each other inside and outside the stadium.
Vipers will have Milton Karisa back from suspension while the trio of John Adriko, Simon Sserunkuma and Godfrey Lwesibawa also return for Villa.
The first leg of the other semi final between reigning champions KCCA and Masaka based Synergy will be played on Monday, 28th at May 2018 at the Masaka Recreational Stadium.
