Shaban, Okello exhibition sets tone for Vipers-KCCA contest

Kampala- A poaching masterclass and crafting artistry was on show as Shaban Muhammad and Allan Okello put URA to the sword at a time citizenry are on tenterhooks over several taxation proposals being mooted by government.

For a KCCA team, whose manager Mike Mutebi was at pains explaining the difficulty in finding goals in the run-up to last evening’s league match against the tax collectors, any victory would have sufficed as the title race heats up.

But after a return of only two goals in 270 minutes of Azam Uganda Premier League football, Mutebi named an attack minded force of Okello, Jackson Nunda, Julius Poloto and Shaban.

And the moment Mashood Ssali blew the kick-off whistle, goals poured; three falling out of Shaban, before second half substitutes Paul Mucureezi and Patrick Kaddu, and the supremely impressive Okello wrapped up URA’s punishment.

All KCCA scorers are on social media, which is one of the ways government is attempting to tax to raise more revenues. Perhaps explains their ruthlessness against the collectors. Jimmy Kulaba, who also scored KCCA’s opener, and Saidi Kyeyune got URA’s consolation goals, but even that was not enough for coach Paul Nkata to stay put.

The URA coach reportedly told his players after the match that he had thrown in the towel. “Even us as coaches we might decide to go but we still have a contract,” said Nkata’s assistant Hamza Kalanzi.

The defending champions, KCCA, however remain third on the log with a point behind Vipers, who thrashed Masavu 3-1 in Kitende, and Villa. Vipers and Villa are level on 49, with the former topping on goal difference.

From a season punctuated by injuries and a transfer standoff that kept him out of the first round, Shaban scored three last evening, making it six in four matches.

He is now only two goals short of leading scorer Nelson Senkatuka of Bright Stars, who has 12.

“Now I can say confidently that Shaban has hit form at the right time,” said KCCA manager Mutebi.

Shaban’s poaching and positioning sense were top notch on the day, making a hugely impressive Okello’s artistry in the final third count. The first goal came on eight minutes, Okello crossing with his weaker right foot from the right and Shaban ghosting behind the Paul Mbowa and Kulaba defence to beat a hapless Matthias Muwanga.

The visitors levelled 18 minutes later, Kulaba heading in a corner past Charles Lukwago. But Shaban re-established the lead on 42 minutes, reacting quickest after Muwanga - who had legendary and retired goalkeeper Sadiq Wasswa, who was watching with fans, question the player’s art - had punched back into play Isaac Kirabira’s powerful drive.

He made it 3-1, converting Okello’s cross before Mucureezi, on for Nunda after the break, put it out of reach for URA with a brilliant probe and finish. Shaban then completed his hattrick, tapping home Okello’s pass before Kyeyune got the second for URA.

Teenager Okello then scored a beauty of his own, curling in past Nafian Alionzi, who had by this time replaced Muwanga. Okello then dribbled past a forest of URA legs to whip in a low ball, which Alionzi failed to deal with for Kaddu, who replaced Shaban, to head home for an emphatic 7-2.

“It was a seven star performance but we played at 40% of our potential,” said purist Mutebi.
“It doesn’t paint a good picture,” said Kalanzi of URA, who remain eighth on 31 points.
Elsewhere, UPDF and Proline gave themselves survival hope by seeing off Bul and Soana 1-0 and 3-1 respectively to get out of the relegation zone, with Express and Mbarara replacing them below.

FRIDAY SHOWDOWN
Friday, 4:00pm live on Azam TV
Vipers SC vs KCCA
St Mary’s Stadium

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