Uganda Premier League
URA FC 3-1 Vipers SC
Arena of Visions, Bombo
Friday, 21-02-2020
BOMBO – URA FC inflicted a third loss of the season to Vipers SC as they beat them on Friday afternoon.
The Tax Collectors who lost 1-0 to the Venoms earlier in the season made amends with a commanding 3-1 victory at the Arena of Visions in Bombo.
A goal each by Said Kyeyune, Daniel Isiagi and Cromwell Rwothomio did the trick for Sam Simbwa’s side who also missed a penalty in the game.
Vipers’ only goal of the game was scored by their top scorer-Fahad Bayo who converted a second half penalty.
The result means Vipers SC remaind top of the standings with 50 points. They are still five-points ahead of KCCA FC who host Express FC at Lugogo on Saturday.
A win for KCCA FC means they close the gap at the top to just two points with 21 more (points) to play for.
URA FC continue impressive 2020 form
URA FC have been in brilliant form since the turn of the year, losing just one of their 9 games during that period whilst winning 6, before Firday.
However, they came into the game on the back of a 3-0 loss at the hands of Busoga United FC.
With their target being accumulation of as much points as possible, the Tax Collectors knew they had to return to winning ways as soon as possible.
They started brightly as Kyeyune riffled in at the edge of the box after he was teed up by Michael Birungi on 14 minutes.
Four minutes later, they struck again with Isiagi netting his second of the season after good work down the right by Joachim Ojera.
Sam Simbwa’s side looked the better side especially in the first half and could have gone into the break with a better-looking caution.
Isiagi controlled a Majwega long ball before seeing his effort blocked by Geoffrey Wasswa.
Ojera who was finding joy down the right shot wide from inside the area while under pressure from Milton Karisa before Birungi forced a finger tip save from URA FC custodian Alionzi Nafian.
In the second half, substitute Cromwell Rwothomio headed a Shafik Kagimu free kick onto the top of the woodwork before Kyeyune dragged a free kick wide.
On 70 minutes, Paul Willa was judged to have handled Majwega’s cross in the area and URA were awarded a penalty. Rwothomio who replaced Isiagi at the start of the second half took responsibility but his resultant kick was saved by Mutombora who was delighted to see Kyeyune’s rebound fly over.
With 16 minutes to play, Rwothomio made amends as he headed home a Kyeyune free kick to restore URA’s two-goal caution.
For his performance on the day, Kyeyune was named the man of the match.
The victory ensures URA FC maintains 4th spot and now have 37 points from 23 games.
Vipers SC feeling the pressure of leading from the top
Vipers are favourites to win this year’s Uganda Premier League title having been the best side so far.
They came into the game with what looked like a healthy five-point caution at the top of the log.
However, they got off to a poor start as they conceded twice in the opening 18 minutes of the contest.
After taking their time to settle in and an early substitution that saw Aziz Kayondo replace the ineffective Rahmat Ssenfuka, the Venoms finally came to the party.
Mucureezi dragged a low effort wide after he was played through on goal by Karim Watambala before Geoffrey Wasswa saw a free kick head straight at Alionzi Nafian.
The Venoms were struggling to create clear openings and Wasswa tried his luck once again-from distance but he could only shot wide from his second free kick.
Moments later, Mucureezi forced a finger-tip save from Mutombora off a snap-shot.
Vipers looked to be in the mood for an early goal in the opening exchanges of the second half.
Mucureezi curled an effort wide before Watambala headed Willa’s cross straight at Alionzi.
On 50 minutes, URA finally succumbed to pressure.
Hood Mulikyi brought down Karisa in the area and forced referee Ashadu Ssemere to point to the spot. Fahad Bayo stepped up to net his 12 goal of the season and what would prove to be Vipers’ consolation on the day.
Before conceding the third, Allan Kayiwa latched onto a Watambala through ball but his effort was expertly saved by Alionzi while in a one-on-one situation.
This is only Vipers’s third loss of the season. The first was gainst KCCA FC before also losing to SC Villa.
In their next assignments, URA FC will be away to Express FC next Tuesday while Vipers SC will host Maroons FC the following day.
How both teams started
URA FC
Alionzi Nafian (GK) Mandela Ashraf, Hood Mulikyi, Nyakojo Benjamin, Brian Majwega, Ivan Sserubiri, Said Kyeyune, Shafik Kagimu, Joachim Ojera, Michael Birungi, Daniel Isiagi.
Vipers SC
Fabien Mutombora (GK), Paul Willa, Bashir Asiku. Geoffrey Wasswa, Siraj Ssentamu, Rahmat Ssenfuka, Innocent Wafula, Paul Mucureezi, Karim Watambala, Milton Karisa, Fahad Bayo.
