Hunt for summit

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Soccer. Vipers cannot afford another slip when they meet Maroons today after they shared the spoils against UPDF at Bombo Barracks.

KAMPALA.

As KCCA coach Mike Mutebi admitted in the aftermath of Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Police, the result was more important than the day’s performance.
The champions as well as the other perceived title contenders, SC Villa, Vipers and URA have all not yet managed to pull away from the rest the league pack as anticipated.
The latest results including a 1-0 away win for SC Villa therefore appeared to have bought more time for the two teams’ coaches with the sides sitting third and fifth respectively one point behind leaders Police. KCCA have now won two straight games after previously picking one win in four games while Villa’s Wasswa Bbosa earned their first away win and remain unbeaten in six.
The same cannot be said of the other two teams; Vipers and URA though. As the league heads into Match Day 11 today, the clubs’ respective coaches Jorge Da Costa and Ibrahim Kirya will again be the focus of attention.
After failing to beat bottom side UPDF, Vipers host plucky Maroons at the St Mary’s Stadium with one win from their last five league games.
“It’s tough, it was a game in which we created chances, but often things don’t pan out as you would like them to. We carved out the openings, we were patient and against Maroons, the result will be a different one,” vowed forward Milton Karisa, who has scored three goals thus far.
Maroons have already held KCCA, Villa, Police and URA. They have added grit to their traditional flair on their return under long serving manager Asaph Mwebaze.
Kirya’s URA has, meanwhile, won once in their last four games ahead of today’s clash with a Police side reeling from the loss against KCCA. “We shall not be put down by just one bad result because the league is a marathon,” Police manager Abdallah Mubiru stressed.
At Lugogo, Proline welcome back Savio Kabugo and will be drooling at the prospect of playing an Express side in disarray.
Former players Edward Kalungi and Hassan Mubiru are expected to take temporary charge of the side currently in the relegation zone following the resignation of coach Deo Bamweyana.

AZAM UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE
Today’s fixtures 4pm
SC Villa vs. Bright Stars, Masaka
Soana vs. KCCA, Kavumba
Mbarara City vs. UPDF, Kakyeka
Onduparaka vs. Kirinya Jinja, Arua
Proline vs. Express, Lugogo
Vipers vs. Maroons, Kitende (Live on Azam)
Masavu vs. BUL, Entebbe
Police vs. URA, Namboole