Vipers must defeat KCCA to close widening league gap

Kampala.

KCCA are not even close to completing a successful defence of their Azam Uganda Premier League but the opposition will soon run scared after their powerful start – one defeat in seven.

Among those tasked to stop KCCA in their tracks are third-placed Vipers, with the former visiting the latter at Nakivubo in the lone Friday fixture to herald match day eight for 12 of the 16 teams.

The champions, on 18 points, have already built as six-point cushion over second-placed SC Villa, who face Arua’s Onduparaka away tomorrow, and Vipers.

Today must feel like a last chance salon for Vipers, coached by ex-KCCA darlings Abdallah Mubiru and George Nsimbe, even if its early days.

Despite losing once, Mubiru’s side have dropped points in nonsensical draws with Bright Stars, JMC Hippos and struggling URA.

Last Friday’s 1-0 loss to Express left Mubiru, whose mentor Mike Mutebi is the KCCA coach, on the brink.
“Mutebi has created a positive character in KCCA and they play as a unit which explains their summit status,” Mubiru stated.

Time seemed to be running out for Mubiru before Erisa Ssekisambu’s goal gave Vipers a precious 1-0 victory over Lweza at Wankulukuku on Tuesday.

“The win eases the pressure on us all because you have to win all your games when you are at such a club,” admitted Mubiru on Tuesday.

Cranes’ defensive player Hassan Wasswa and the return from injury of striker Tony Odur may as well start to tilt the scale for Mubiru with club boss Lawrence Mulindwa watching in the stands.

On the other hand, KCCA cruised past Express 3-1 to make it six goals in two games.

That tally included three for recently acquired Robert Ssentogo as last season’s top scorer found his place atop the scorer’s chart.

Ssekisambu, SC Villa winger Vitalis Tabu, Soana’s Frank Kalanda, URA’s Shafiq Kagimu, and Ssentogo’s teammate, Sserunkuma have managed the same number thus far.

KCCA hold all the aces ahead of today’s game. “We shall give Vipers the respect they deserve but that doesn’t mean we won’t be going there to play for three points,” midfielder Muzamir Mutyaba told www.kccafc.co.ug.

The league leaders are still without Hakim Ssenkumba (on trials), Martin Mpuuga and Lawrence Kasadha whereas left-back Isaac Muleme faces a late fitness test.

Azam Uganda Premier League

Today at Nakivubo stadium, 4pm
Vipers vs KCCA Live on Azam TV
Tomorrow’s matches
Soana vs URA Kavumba
BUL vs Police Kakindu
Express vs Kirinya-Jinja Wankulukuku
Onduparaka vs SC Villa Arua
Proline vs Lweza Lugogo
Sadolin vs JMC Hippos Bugembe

UPL TABLE

P W D L Pts
KCCA 7 6 0 1 18
SC Villa 6 3 3 0 12
Vipers 7 3 3 1 12
Soana 7 3 3 1 12
Express 7 3 2 2 11
The Saints 7 3 1 3 10
Bright Stars 6 2 3 1 9
Onduparaka 6 2 3 1 9
URA 7 1 5 1 8
Lweza 7 2 2 3 8
Proline 7 1 5 1 8
BUL 7 1 3 3 6
Kirinya-Jinja 7 0 5 2 5
Sadolin 6 1 2 3 5
Police 7 1 2 4 5
JMC 7 0 2 5 2