Pilsner Super 8 2019
Proline FC 0-1 Vipers SC
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Wednesday, 31-07-2019
LUGOGO – Edward Golola got his Vipers SC return off to a winning start as the Venoms defeated Proline 1-0 in the Pilsner Super 8.
The tactician who was confirmed as head coach last week, had Denis Mwemezi to thank as the new signing scored the only goal of the day.
It was not a performance to pride in but the Venoms put out a professional display as they restricted Proline to just possession with out anything to show for it.
Professional Venoms
The Venoms are seeking to bounce back from an average 2018/19 season which saw them walk away empty handed. In Wednesday’s game, they handed a host of new faces their debut.
It was not a blistering start by Golola’s side as they struggled to impose their authority.
Mwemezi who was signed from Ssese this month, got the all important goal in the 25th minute, heading in an Aziz Kayondo cross from the left.
The combination of returning Siraje Ssentamu and Brian Nkuubi were solid in the middle with Proline resorting to wing-play.
Even after Ssentamu-who was signed from URA FC at the start of the month-was replaced by Rahmat Ssenfuka-after the break, the Venoms never looked like losing their grip on the game.
Karim Watambala who was named man of the match could have added a second for Vipers but his fierce drive midway through the second half, was parried away from danger by Hassan Matovu.
Abraham Ndugwa tried his luck off a scorpion kick but unlike in the game against SC Villa-last season, the former Masavu FC captain could not find the back of the net.
Proline must worry ahead of Confederations Cup
Proline is set to represent Uganda in the CAF Confederations cup but if recent results are to go by, they need to up their game.
Having failed to get past the group stages in the CECAFA Kagame cup 2019, Proline were hoping to use the Vipers game as precursor for next weekend’s clash with Malawi’s Master Securities.
However, they struggled to create anything meaningful in front of goal throughout the entire 90 minutes.
Their best chance fell to Ibrahim Bonyo who shot into the side netting after he was played in through on goal by The lively Sula Ssekamwa.
Defender Bernard Muwanga tried his luck from set-plays but either shot straight into the wall or directly at Fabien Mutombora in the Venom’s goal.
With Bright Anukani camping with the national team, the creating duties were left to Nordin Bunjo who failed to make telling impact.
In the end, Vipers marched into the next round while Proline will now play placement games.
What they said after the game
Golola, Vipers head coach
“We played good and they executed what we asked them to do. There are some aspects that they did not execute well but we are going to go back and polish.
Shafick Bisaso, Proline head coach
“It was a good game but we lost in the end. It shows that we still have some work to do before the Confederations Cup and hopefully we will be good to go by next week.
Proline starting XI
Matovu Hassan, Begesa James, Ssekamwa Sula, Ssenyonjo Arnold, Bernard Muwanga, Mukisa Yusuf, Ibrahim Wamannah, Noordin Bunjo(C), Ibrahim Bonyo, kiwanuka Hakim
Vipers starting XI
Fabien Mutombora, Innocent Wafula, Aziz Kayondo, Bashir Asiku, Halid Lwaliwa (C), Siraje Ssentamu, Brian Nkuubi, Karim Watambal, Abram Ndugwa, Henry Kitegenyi, Dennis Mwemezi
Pilsner Super 8 upcoming games
-August 2nd: Mbarara City vs URA FC
-August 4th: Onduparaka vs Tooro United
-August 6th: Wakiso Giants vs KCCA FC
