Vipers falter, Jogoos dream on

KCCA’s laboured 1-0 victory over table leaders Vipers on Saturday at StarTimes Stadium has opened up the title race with greater unpredictability at the top as the first round of the Uganda Premier League nears to an end.

Vipers coach Edward Golola, like his counterpart Mike Mutebi concurred it was a nervy game of two distinctive halves; the first dominated by the hosts and the second witnessing a spirited fruitless comeback attempt by the hosts.

“I thank the players for the effort despite the loss. I think we had a sloppy start and that cost us. We improved in the second half but lacked the cutting edge in the final third,” Golola said.
Still glued at the table top with 33 points from 14 matches, Golola revealed their title hunt is on even when KCCA can now go a point above them should Mutebi’s side win the four games in hand.
“We remain strong and focused. What we need to do is bounce back soon. We shall go back and try to rectify the mistakes we committed today,” he added.

Whereas Golola decried the absence of marksman Fahad Bayo and defensive pillar Halid Lwaliwa (on Uganda Cranes duty), Mutebi was having none of that.

“I’m happy with the boy’s performance and that shows we are improving. We have no stars and we are going to take on all the matches with a strong belief. Before we think of overtaking Vipers at the top, we have to get past Bul, Villa and Onduparaka ahead of us first,” Mutebi stressed.
The reigning league champions have a daunting fixture pile that will see them face URA next, Mbarara City, Kyetume, SC Villa and Proline - all inside 12 days.

The match proper exhibited the thin margin in quality squad depth, tactical awareness and readiness between the two title contenders.

KCCA largely relied on former Vipers players Mike Mutyaba, Keziron Kizito and Erisa Sekisambu to torment the visitors.

Sekisambu’s was a thorn in Vipers budding left-back Aziz Kayondo’s flesh particularly in the first half and their duel stood out with the outcome birthing Muzamir Mutyaba’s goal on 28 minutes – a composed finish aided by a slight deflection.

Villa, Onduparaka battle for third slot
Edward Kaziba’s Villa has awe-struck many doubters since the opening day loss to Kyetume and their remarkable run of 12 matches without a loss will be put under stern scrutiny this afternoon when they face Onduparaka at the Green Light Stadium in Arua. The Jogoos are just a point better than fourth placed Onduparaka.