Dramatic day of twists, turns in Premier League

KAMPALA. For Vipers, the feeling must have been that of a goal scorer who sprints the length of the pitch in celebration only to realise the linesman called for an offside.
The Azam Uganda Premier League (AUPL) leaders dispatched relegation strugglers Express with an emphatic 5-0 victory left all and sundry in Kitende celebrating the ‘title victory.’

Only that it was not, despite the public announcer at St Mary’s Stadium relaying news that Bul had held KCCA 1-1 at Lugogo, a result that, if correct, would have handed Vipers the title.
In the end, it was a downbeat atmosphere, a strange affair for one who had just spanked someone in a five-star performance that had Daniel Sserunkuma plunder a hat-trick.

This is because KCCA, who were fighting to get out of a Bul trap with the clock ticking away, had struck a late winner through Derrick Nsibambi, who headed home in the fourth minute of the added four.
KCCA’s 2-1 victory at StarTimes Stadium, made sure by Nsibambi’s brace - his first goal a beauty off the chest and via his right foot past Hannington Sebwalunyo, ensured the league title will be decided on the final day Friday.

Good game
“It was a good game of football,” said KCCA manager Mike Mutebi, “Good advertisement for Ugandan football. The boys wanted to win and I’m happy they did. I have always maintained that it will go down to the wire.” Vipers top on 62 points, two ahead of KCCA, who have won the title for the last two seasons.
A win for both Vipers - at home to UPDF -, and KCCA away to Police on Friday will see the former claim their third league title overall.
Starting Nsibambi up top with Julius Poloto and Paul Mucureezi on either side, Allan Okello roaming behind them and ahead of Sadam Juma and Lawrence Bukenya, KCCA made their intentions clear early. And it was not long before Juma’s well-floated ball found cushion on Nsibambi’s chest, the striker turning on the swerve to hit it low past Bul goalkeeper Sebwalunyo on 21 minutes. In between Bul forward Richard Wandyaka missed a sitter and eventual goal scorer Jean Pier Kambale shot tamely at KCCA goalkeeper Charles Lukwago.

Pressing high
Nsibambi thereafter drew two saves from Sebwalunyo before Okello followed suit but the visitors held on to go into the break only 1-0 down.
KCCA pressed high after recess but an 1-0, it is always anyone’s game. And indeed, against the run of play the visitors, coached by experienced coach Kefa Kisala, hit back through a Kambale long range drive past Lukwago on 81 minutes.
Lugogo went silent, so silent Kitende could hear the news. The champions pressed but the visitors held on, Sebwalunyo continuing to defy Nsibambi and company.

Late winner
With celebrations already underway in Kitende, most possibly unaware that the fourth official’s four added minutes at Lugogo were still running, Nsibambi headed in one of the countless crosses from Mustafa Kizza territory to rise the home fans from the dead.
“KCCA won their match of 100 minutes,” said a seemingly disappointed Da Costa, some hour away in Kitende, “If they want to win the title, they should just write a letter and be given the title.”
His comment was laden with frustration, yet he had just thrashed Express for five!

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