Uganda Premier League
KCCA FC 1-0 Vipers SC
StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo
Saturday, 16-11-2019
“We have an obligation to win.” Those were the words of KCCA FC head coach Mike Mutebi as his side prepared to take on Uganda Premier League leaders Vipers SC.
True to them, the Kasasiros defeated Vipers 1-0 on Saturday afternoon in the game played at StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo.
Muzamir Mutyaba scored the only goal of the afternoon, seeing a deflected effort rattle the back of the net after good work down the right by former Vipers forward Erisa Ssekisambu.
Victory for KCCA FC sees them move onto 22 points for the season. They however remain 5th on the log having played just 10 games.
For Vipers SC, they succumbed to a first loss of the season and also a first in 16 league games since they lost 2-1 at home to URA FC last season.
KCCA FC pass first test in bid to defend title
KCCA FC are hoping to win a third successive league title having won both of the previous two in 2017/18 and 2018/19.
They have endured a difficult start to the season having been dumped out of continental football and also started slowly domestically, as per their standards.
They came into the game having lost two games already and without the services of captain Charles Lukwago, Nicholas Kasozi and Allan Okello who are all with the national team preparing to take on Malawi in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Sunday.
They knew that a loss to Vipers would put their chances of defending the title in absolute jeopardy.
However, they passed the test with a wounderful professional display that will surley motivate them to climb up the table.
The Kasasiros started strongly, winning two corners inside the opening three minutes.
Mustafa Kizza attempted to break the dead-lock but his lobbed effort was parried by Fabien Mutombora. Kizza also saw a free-kick fly over after Siraje Ssentamu handled outside the box.
Erisa Ssekisambu was at the heart of most of KCCA FC’s chances created in the first period and he saw a weak effort saved with by Mutombora.
The former Venom then played in Jackson Nunda who headed tamely at Mutombora.
Players always love playing against their former employers and it was also the case for Ssekisambu on Saturday as he was hands down the best performer on the day.
On 31 minutes, he made a good run own the right, turned Aziz Kayondo inside and teed the ball on for Muzamir who shot first time and found the back of the net in what proved to be the winning goal in the end.
Ssekisambu could have gotten onto the score-sheet himself but failed to beat Mutombora in a one on one situation before shooting over after he was teed up by substitute Steven Sserwadda.
Vipers fail to live up to early season hype
Vipers who were with out top scorer-Fahad Bayo and captain Halid Lwalia (National team duty) have so far been the most impressive side in the league and rightfully sit top of the pile.
They came into Saturday’s game holding a five point lead on top of the log and were also 14 points above KCCA FC.
However, they failed miserably in their attempts to prove that it is their title to lose.
In the game, they started slowly and it took them 68 minutes to register a shot on target.
Their first attempt on target came on 33 minutes with Brian Nkubi shooting wide from just outside the area.
Rahmat Ssenfuka also shot over, from diastance at the start of the second half.
The Venoms looked to have started growing into the game especially after Allan Kayiwa was brought on early in the second half.
Ssentamu had two efforts from distance miss the target. The first went wide will the other sailed over.
Kayiwa got a chance to draw Vipers level with three minutes left on the clock but his effort, after turning Filbert Obenchan was parried to safety by the out-stretched Malyamungu.
It was a disappointing result for Vipers who started the season in inspiring fashion. They will have a chance to make amends when they take on Maroons FC in their last game of the first round.
For KCCA FC, they now have five more games to play until they end their first round. If they can win all of them, they will be top of the pile after 15 games.
How both teams lined up
KCCA Starting XI
Jamil Malyamungu (G.K), Fillbert Obenchan, Mustafa Kizza (Captain), Samuel Kato, John Revita, Ali Abubakar Gift, Keziron Kizito, Jackson Nunda, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Erisa Ssekisambu, Mike Mutyaba
Substitutes
Ali Mwirusi (G.K), Musa Ramathan, Herbert Achai, Steven Sserwadda, John Egbuonu Odumegwu, Sam Ssenyonjo, Joseph Kafumbe
Vipers SC starting XI
Fabien Mutombora (G.K), Paul Willa, Aziz Kayondo, Bashir Asiku, Geoffrey Wasswa (Captain), Siraje Ssentamu, Brian Nkuubi, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Tito Okello, Dan Sserunkuma, Innocent Wafula
Substitutes
Derrick Ochan (GK), Ibrahim Tembo, Farouk Musisi, Abraham Ndugwa, Frank Tumwesigye, Brian Kalumba, Abraham Ndugwa.
