Uganda Premier League
Vipers SC 1-0 Tooro United
St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
Tuesday, 03-09-2019
KITENDE – Fahad Bayo scored the only goal of the afternoon as Vipers edged Tooro United 1-0 in the Uganda Premier League game played at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Tuesday afternoon.
The striker who had struggled earlier in the game, headed in a Rahmat Ssenfuka freekick with just 12 minutes left on the clock to ensure the Venoms register a second victory of the season.
Viper who defeated Bright Stars 3-1 in their opening game now hold a 100% record and sit firmly at the top of the summit.
For Tooro, they will have themselves to blame for a first loss of the season having wasted several chances to take the lead and probably seal all three points in a game that they were clearly the better side.
Wasswa Bbosa’s side stay on three points having won the first game 1-0 at home to Busoga United, last Saturday.
Wasteful Tooro regret missed opportunities
Tooro United have never defeated Vipers in any of their 13 meetings.
On Tuesday, there was a feeling that that run would come to an end as they dominated proceedings and created the better chances.
Barely three minutes on the clock, Steven Omvia had two glorious opportunities to put the visitors ahead.
The forward headed Godfrey Lwesibawa’s corner wide of the target before seeing a shot saved by Fabien Mutombora after wrong footing Halid Lwaliwa.
Lwesibawa then raced onto an Ibrahim Kayiwa through ball but decided to square the ball for John Ssemazzi, while one on one with Mutombora. Ssemazzi who looked to have wasted the chance as he allowed Lwaliwa to block his effort, was judged to have been in an offside position.
Halfway through the first half, Ssemazzi delivered an inch-perfect cross which was met by Kayiwa on the volley but the former Express FC midfielder’s effort was pushed into the path of Omvia before the striker saw his effort cleared off the line by Bashir Asiku.
After going down, Tooro had a late chance to equalize but Omvia decided to chest down Lwesibawa’s cross while unmarked in the area, instead of heading it goal wards which was clearly the better option.
As frustration mounted, Tooro head coach Wasswa Bbosa was shown a straight red card and sent to the stands after a verbal confrontation with center referee Brian Nsubuga over the freekick that led to Vipers’ goal.
Viper struggle but get job done
Vipers who came into the game on the back of an opening match-day victory looked second best from the on-set.
As they struggled to get to grips in the game, they resorted to speculative efforts to try and take the lead.
First, Rahmat Ssenfuka sent an effort over the bar after neat play involving Paul Wila.
Next it was Asiku who shot straight at Crispas Kusiime from 30 yards.
Nothing seemed to be going the Venoms way and in a space of two second half minutes, leftback Farouk Musisi was shown two yellows and despite Nsubuga first failing to send him off, the referee did so after consultation with the fourth official.
The red card looked to have been a blessing in disguise as Vipers went on the offensive and substitute Allan Kayiwa forced a stupendous save from Kusiime after turning Isa Lumu inside and out.
With 12 minutes to play, Kusiime could not replicate his earlier heroics as he was finally breached.
Ssenfuka sent a speculative free kick into the area and Bayo headed it into the top right-corner to put the Venoms 1-0.
Despite playing with 10 men, Vipers held on to register a victory that had looked unlikely during the entire game
The teams that started
Vipers SC
Fabien Mutombora (GK), Paul Willa, Farouk Musisi, Halid Lwaliwa (c), Bashir Asiku, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Ibrahim Tembo, Innocent Wafula, Abraham Ndugwa, Dan Sserunkuma, Fahad Bayo.
Tooro United
Chrispas Kusiime, Musa Mukasa, Arthur Kiggundu, Isa Lumu, Mike Kawooya, Paddy Muhumuza, Steven Luwsata, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Godfrey Lwesibawa, John Ssemazzi, Steven Omvia.
The other games played on Tuesday
-Busoga United 0-1 KCCA FC
-Wakiso Giants 3-1 URA FC
-Express FC 1-1 Bright Stars
-Maroons FC 1-0 Kyetume FC
