Vipers poised to crush KCCA slim title hopes

The Venoms, already 13 points ahead, are out to deepen KCCA’s wounds—still raw from Thursday’s humiliating 1-0 defeat to city rivals NEC—by securing a ruthless victory.
Sitting comfortably at the summit with 37 points from 16 games, Vipers come into this clash buoyed by their commanding 2-0 win over URA on Tuesday.

Determined to be more clinical in the final third, they aim to avoid the mistakes of November 19 last year, when KCCA snatched a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Kitende through Ashraf Mugume’s stunning goal.

For Abdallah Mubiru’s wobbly KCCA,it is a moment of truth.

Enock Ssebagala’s well-taken goal off a Geriga Atendele cross in Nec’s win on Thursday at Lugogo sparked fans’ fury, with growing calls for Mubiru’s exit. 

With his back against the wall, today’s battle against the ruthless Venoms is more than just a game - it’s a fight for survival.

Solemn vow

“We have lost because there are things we didn’t do better, and that is what we are going to focus on,” Mubiru admitted after the Nec second defeat.

“We are getting ready for Vipers. We did well in the build-up but lacked in the final third. My players tried their best against Nec, only that they didn’t do well in the final third - it was their (Nec’s) luck. We need efficiency in the final third (against Vipers).”

Against a Vipers side that rarely forgives wastefulness, KCCA must find their cutting edge—or risk watching their title hopes go up in smoke.

Mubiru vs. Ayala, again

Mubiru should expect no mercy from Vipers’ auxiliary coach John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda - a man he once mentored and had earmarked as his number two at KCCA, only for club officials to reportedly snub him. 

Now thriving at Kitende alongside colleague Fred Muhumuza, Luyinda has helped transform Vipers into a ruthless winning machine. 

Since their opening-day loss to Nec under the short-lived reign of Serbian Nikola Kavazovic, the Venoms have been nearly unstoppable, topping both the table and the scoring charts.

Beyond Ayala, KCCA might once again regret their own missteps - none bigger than recklessly letting playmaker Allan Okello leave for free, only to watch him flourish at their biggest rivals.

Now the creative heartbeat of Vipers, Okello has already netted 12 goals and is spearheading their charge for a seventh league crown.

"The second round is so tricky and demands total commitment, with teams fighting for survival, bragging rights, and good positions,” Muhumuza noted.

He added; “Every game is a final, and we expect tougher moments, but the lads know what’s at stake.”

Seize moment

Second-placed Nec, just a point behind Vipers, have a golden chance to momentarily seize the summit if they dispatch 11th-placed Police, who sit on 18 points, in the early kickoff at Kavumba Grounds. 

Meanwhile, at the Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru, Abbey Kikomeko’s resurgent Bul, currently sixth with 23 points following their 2-0 victory over Express on Wednesday, can catapult themselves into third place.

 A win over bottom-placed Mbale Heroes - who remain stuck on 10 points after yet another defeat to Mbarara City - would see Bul leapfrog misfiring URA, KCCA, and Express, further tightening the battle for continental slots.

StarTimes Uganda Premier League

Sunday 

Bul vs. Mbale Heroes, 3pm

Lugazi vs. Wakiso Giants, 3pm

Police vs. Nec, 3pm

KCCA vs. Vipers, 7pm