StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Vipers SC 1-1 KCCA FC
St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
Saturday, 03-11-2018
KITRNDE – Saddam Juma missed a second half penalty as KCCA FC drew 1-1 with Vipers at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Saturday afternoon.
The Venoms took the lead through Daniel Sserunkuma’s first half strike but KCCA leveled matters at the start of the second as Filbert Obenchan scored his second goal of the campaign.
The much-anticipated game started slowly with both sides exhibiting maximum respect for the other.
The first sight of goal came on 15 minutes when Mustapha Kizza sent in a free-kick from the right which was fisted away by Fabian Mutombora in the Vipers’ goal. Moments later Allan Kyambadde tried his luck from distance but the Congolese goalkeeper was equal to the effort.
At the other end, Daniel Sserunkuma held up play well and he teed up Yayo Lutimba who shot wide from distance.
On 22 minutes, the Kasasiro Boys should have gone ahead but Patrick Kaddu failed to direct Kizza’s inch perfect cross, goal wards instead sending it wide while six yards away from the goal-line.
KCCA looked to be in control of the game but were restricted to shots from distance as evident by Filbert Obenchan’s strike that flew out of the stadium at the half hour mark. Moments later, Allan Okello also sent a powerful strike from distance off target.
The trend of shooting from distance continued two minutes later and this time it was Vipers at it as Geoffrey Wasswa also shot wide from 30 yards.
As Vipers tried to get grips in the game, Moses Waiswa was fouled just outside the area but the referee chose to let the game keep flowing. Waiswa was not happy and his complaints resulted into being shown the first yellow card of the game.
With 11 minutes of the first half to play, Vipers drew first blood. After good work down the right, Abraham Ndugwa sent in a low cross which was controlled by Duncan Sseninde who then teed up Sserunkuma to tap home for the first goal of the game.
Five minutes later, KCCA could have equalized but Kizza could not find a teammate in the area after controlling Julius Poloto’s cross in the area and laying it on.
On 41 minutes, Ndugwa decided to shoot from distance but his shot was comfortably saved by Charles Lukwago in the KCCA goal.
The last chance of the first half fell to Kizza who was allowed space to control the ball in the area but the left full-back decided to play in a teammate instead of shooting at goal and the opportunity went to waste.
At the start of the second half, KCCA made an instant substitution as Muwadda Mawejje replaced Kizza.
Inside the first two minutes of the half, Halid Lwaliwa fouled Allan Kyambadde out side the area. From the resultant free-kick, Okello sent in a low cross which evaded everyone but Filbert Obanchan who turned it home from close range to pull KCCA level at 1-1.
On 52 minutes, Saddam Juma was cautioned after a foul on Sserunkuma in the center circle.
Eight minutes later, Julius Poloto threaded in a through ball for Kyambadde but his goal bound shot was excellently saved by Mutombora and out for a corner. The resultant corner yielded nothing.
Vipers goal scorer Sserunkuma was then booked on 62 minutes following a sliding challenge on Saddam.
With 66 minutes of the game played, KCCA were awarded a penalty after Kyambadde was brought down by Lwaliwa inside the area. Saddam stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was saved miraculously by Mutombora’s trailing left leg and out for just a corner kick.
Vipers Coach Javier Martinez decided to make his first substitution on 68 minutes, taking off Sseninde and introducing Brian Nkubbi.
KCCA made their second substitution with 14 minutes to play as Jackson Nunda replaced the ineffective Kaddu.
KCCA seemed to want it more and seven minutes to the end, Okello sent in an in-swinging corner which was headed goal wards by Timothy Awanyi but his effort was blocked and as Vipers struggled to clear their lines, Nunda tried his luck from an over head kick but it was turned out for a corner.
Two minutes later, Martinez made his second switch, sending on Janjali Joseph for the tired looking Ndugwa.
The last realistic opportunity of the game fell to Kyambadde who had been a menacep to the Vipers defence all day but his shot from distance was deflected out for only a corner.
In the end, both sides had to settle for a draw which means Vipers remain top of the log with 14 points from their first six games.
KCCA FC slip to third, a point behind Bul FC who defeated Ndejje University 4-1 on the same day.
Vipers starting IX:
Fabian Mutombora (GK), Bashir Asiku, Yayo Lutimba, Halid Lwaliwa, Fred Okot, Geoffrey Wasswa, Moses Waiswa (c), Duncan Sseninde, Noah Wafula, Karim Ndugwa, Daniel Sserunkuma.
KCCA starting IX.
Charles Lukwago (GK), Filbert Obenchan, Timothy Awanyi (c), Hassan Musana, Mustapha Kizza, Lawrence Bukenya, Saddam Juma, Julius Poloto, Allan Okello, Allan Kyambadde, Patick Kaddu.
The other games played on Saturday.
-Mbarara City 2-1 SC Villa
-Paidah Black Angels 1-3 Express FC
-Bright Stars 4-1 Kirinya JSS
-Tooro United 0-0 Onduparak FC
-Bul 4-1 Ndejje University
Tomorrow (Sunday).
-Police FC vs Maroons FC @04:00pm, StarTimes Stadium-Lugogo
