Uganda Premier League
Vipers SC – URA FC
St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
Tuesday, 12-11-2019
KITENDE – Vipers SC maintained their unbeaten start to the 2019/20 season thanks to a hard fought 1-0 victory over URA FC.
After a goalless first half, Dan Sserunkuma poked home the winner with 23 minutes to play.
This is Vipers’ 10th victory of the season and it helps them remain top of the standings with 33 points from 13 game, having drawn the other three.
For URA FC, they drop into 10th with 14 points from 11 matches.
Vipers SC just about do enough to register another victory
Vipers started brightly as they dominated possession and created several half-chances.
Tito Okello twice shot towards goal but one effort went over while the other was drilled wide.
Allan Kayiwa then forced a good save from James Alitho before Paul Willa headed wide from a Kayiwa cross.
Dan Sserunkuma also saw an effort comfortably saved by Alitho after turning near the URA FC’ area.
Willa sent in a low cross into the URA area but it went begging as no one could provide a telling touch onto it.
On 63 minutes, Vipers took the lead. After a lazy clearance by Alitho, Willa sent another low cross into the area and it was tapped home by Sserunkuma at the back post.
Sserunkuma then played in substitute Innocent Wafula but the Kenyan international shot wide from a promising position.
Alitho kept URA in the game as he tipped over an Okello header from Rahmat Ssenfuka’s free kick.
URA not good enough in the end
URA endured a slow start and were on the back foot for most of the early exchanges.
Sensing danger, URA FC head coach Sam Simbwa tried to make a change but the events that followed forced him to change heart.
Birunji whose number had been shown on the fourth official’s board, made two telling contributions forcing would-be substitute Ivan Ntege to retain his spot on the bench.
The former Express FC winger, first threaded a through ball for Saidi Kyeyune but the midfielder shot tamely at Derrick Ochan, then he played in Shafik Kagimu who dragged his effort wide.
Daniel Isiagi missed a glorious opportunity to hand the Tax Collectors the lead as he lashed onto a loose ball but his lobbed effort while one on one with Ochan, brushed off the bar and out for just a goal kick.
With time running out, URA FC resorted to long range shots but both substitute-Joram Sseruyidde and Kyeyune shot weakly at Ochan.
They then thought they had equalized two minutes from time but substitute Cromwel Rwothomio’s goal was ruled out for a questionable offside as Kagimu was judged to have received the ball behind the Vipers last man before squaring it on for the former Paidha Black Angels striker.
Simbwa’s side got one last opportunity to level matters but Aziz Kayondo was on hand to make a goal-line clearance after Joachim Ojera had shot towards goal.
In their next assignments Vipers will be away to KCCA FC while URA FC host Busoga United FC.
How both teams started
Vipers SC
Derrick Ochan (GK), Paul Willa, Aziz Kayondo, Bashir Asiku, Geofrey Wasswa, Siraje Ssentamu, Dan Sserunkuma, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Allan Kayiwa, Abraham Ndugwa, Tito Okello
URA FC
James ALitho (GK), Ashraf Mandela, Brian Majwega, Hudu Mulikyi, Patrick Mbowa, Julius Mutyaba, Joakiam Ojera, Saidi Kyeyune, Daniel Isiagi, Shafik Kagimu, Michael Birungi
The other games played on Tuesday
-Mbarara City FC 2–1 Onduparaka FC
-Kyetume FC 0-3 Wakiso Giants FC
-Proline FC 2-1 Bright Stars FC
-Busoga United FC 1-1 Maroons FC
