Weary Vipers drop more points

Kampala. The StarTimes Uganda Premier League fixture list has not been kind to Vipers who were welcomed from their Caf Confederation Cup trip away to Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien this week with two games in three days. The reigning league champions however also seem to have done themselves no favours in a couple of ways.
Needing a win to close the gap on leaders KCCA to three points after Friday’s 1-all draw against URA, Vipers failed to turn early dominance into a substantial lead before playing out a similar result against hard fighting Mbarara in Kitende yesterday.
Daniel ‘Mzee’ Sserunkuma continued to make a mockery of his omission for the domestic football awards showing he is perhaps not only the best player in this Vipers team but could make a strong case for the league too.
His strike yesterday took his tally to 26 league goals since last season and one behind current leading marksman Bashir Mutanda who has scored 10times. Sserunkuma thumped home a snapshot after Tito Okello flicked Ibrahim Kiyemba’s lofted ball for a 15th minute lead that looked like increasing with Innocent Wafula teasing the visitors defence.
“I knew vipers would start well because they’ve been playing on the continent and they’re the bigger team and they were at home. So we played without any pressure and from experience knew they would get tired,” Mbarara’s Paul Mucurezi said after the game.
His experience has been key for the Livingstone Mbabazi coached side and he could be seen calming down young midfielder Ivan Eyamu who played on the edge after getting himself booked for dissent.
More importantly he finished off a flowing move connecting with Stephen Othieno’s low cross from a quick break nine minutes after the break as Mbarara led by the outstanding Hillary Mukundane returned re-energised.
“Playing two matches in a difference of one day is not easy so congratulations to the boys.. It’s tough and we didn’t have enough energy,” Vipers coach Michael Nam Ouma said afterwards.
While he bemoaned his team’s fatigue, the decision to substitute central midfielder Rahmat Ssenfuka who has been underused raised a few eyebrows.
His substitute Duncan Sseninde missed a gilt edged opportunity as the game opened up while Jude Ssemugabi also failed to make the most of a couple of half chances at the other end after good work from Eyam and Ibrahim Orit.
Mbarara who welcome KCCA in their opening second round game on Wednesday stay third with 28 points, three short of Vipers.

sunday
Vipers 1-1 Mbarara City
OPENING SECOND ROUND FIXTURES
TUESDAY
Police vs Nyamityobora
StarTimes Stadium (On Sanyuka TV, 4pm)
Tooro United vs Express
Buhinga Stadium, Fort Portal 4:30pm
WEDNESDAY
Mbarara City vs KCCA
Kakyeka Stadium (On Sanyuka TV, 4pm)
BUL vs Maroons
FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru 4:30pm
FRIDAY
Vipers vs K-Jinja SS
St. Mary’s Stadium, (On Sanyuka TV, 4pm)
Paidha vs Ndejje Univ
Green Light Stadium, Arua - 4:30pm