Ndugwa brace sends Vipers through, Villa raid Masaka

Loaded gun: Abraham Ndugwa celebrates his brace yesterday as Vipers defeated Kansai Plascon 4-0 in the Stanbic Uganda Cup at Kitende. Photo by John Batanudde

What you need to know:

Vipers steamrolled Big League side Plascon 4-0 to progress to the round of 16 of the Stanbic Uganda Cup in their preparation for their return leg against CS Sfaxien in the Caf Confederation Cup. But today’s is on SC Villa, who travel to Masaka to play Regional League side Nkambi Coffee.

Kampala. Vipers reached the Stanbic Uganda Cup round of 16 stage with a 4-0 win over Big League side Kansai Plascon at St. Mary’s Stadium yesterday. Forward Abraham Ndugwa scored twice to make a strong case for a starting slot ahead of the team’s vital Caf Confederation Cup game away to Tunisian side CS Sfaxien.,
He has been out of the starting lineup for the last three games and since Michael Nam Ouma and Edward Golola replaced Mexican coach Javier Martinez. Two of those ended in goalless draws while there was a 3-0 win over Onduparaka.

But he showed what he brings to the team with two expertly taken goals albeit against second tier opponents.
The first was a beautiful curling finish from a fine team move while his second was also placed beyond the Plascon goalkeeper Zakaria Nsubuga.
“He had a good performance but we do not have a starting 11. Every player can do the job,” Ouma said of Ndugwa’s performance.
Ndugwa’s second half goals came after Vipers were gifted the opening two goals with Plascon captain Desmond Kyobe first diverting the ball into his net before inexplicably failing to clear Valid Lwalirwa’s weak shot from a corner.

“They taught us some harsh lessons. But we were also not used to the turf,” Plascon assistant coach Peter Sengonzi stated.
There was however a late scare for Vipers as Lwalirwa who missed the first leg with a shoulder problem left the pitch late on with a nose injury.