2024-2025 Uganda Premier League
- Vipers 2-0 Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)
Vipers completed a rare double over Uganda Revenue Authority with a 2-0 win at the St Mary’s Stadium as the second round of the 2024-2025 Uganda Premier League kicked off on Tuesday, 11th February 2025.
Two second half goals from the day’s captain Allan Okello (penalty) and a wonder long range shot by left back Enock Luyima won the game for the Venoms who are co-coached by Fred Muhumuza and John Luyinda.
The flood-lit game was a duel of completely two different halves with Vipers debuting forward Isaac Ogwang who sadly limped out at the climax of the opening stanza.
Vipers kicked off the brightly when midfielder Moses Waiswa executed a distant free-kick that was well picked up by URA goalkeeper Rogers Omedwa in the fourth minute.
URA defender Joseph Bright Vuni got cautioned in the 6th minute by female FIFA Referee Shamirah Nabadda.
Vipers maintained the pressure to the opposition, earning a free-kick, 35 yards away from goal that Abdul Karim Watambala chipped into the area, only to find defender Hilary Mukundane in an off-side position.
The visitors’ first threat arrived on the quarter hour mark when a quick counter was dark patched by Joseph Ssemujju’s off-side positioning.
The tax collectors got their second booking moments later when Laban Tibiita was cautioned for an elbow to Junior Yunus Sentamu’s face.
Mid-season signing Ogwang had his first shot on target in the 17th minute.
URA called for an early change when former UPDF and Arua Hill defender Joseph Bright Vuni was rested for Faizo Matovu on 18 minutes.
In the 20th minute, left back Luyima nearly scored from distance but his curl was tipped over by goalkeeper Omedwa for a corner kick
Vipers defender Rogers Torach Ochaki got cautioned for a foul in the 23rd minute.
Two minutes later, URA pacy winger Moses Aliro Okabo shot on the side-netting as he approached the goal area.
Towards the half hour mark, Ogwang perfectly turned and shot direct towards the goalkeeper as the industrious forward made his presence really felt.
Veteran Vipers right back Nico Wadada Wakiro slid to block Ssemujju’s effort at the right timing.
Towards the end of the opening half, Godfrey Ssekibengo fouled Ogwang and limped out.
Torach blocked Ssemujju in the half’s last chance for the tax collectors as the two sides returned for the mandatory half time recess tied, goal-less.
As the second half kicked off, Kenneth Kimera took over Ogwang’s place at central attack.
Three minutes into the final stanza, Okello was denied from close range by goalkeeper Omedwa before Ssekibengo drove over a free-kick from distance.
The break through moment arrived when the home side won a penalty 10 minutes into the second half.
A wall pass between Sentamu and Watambala found the former who was tripled down by an on-rushing Lubwama inside the goal area.
Okello made no mistake to find the back of the net from 12 yards, calming passing the ball to Omedwa’s left.
It would quickly been two goals for the hosts but Okello curled out from close range following a move that involved Kimera, Watambala and Sentamu, right on the hour mark.
Three minutes later, Kimera missed from close range and Sentamu blew over the rebound.
URA called for a double change in the 65th minute;
Laban Tibiita got rested for former St Mary’s SS Kitende student Nyarwa Bitanywaine Olimi and James Penz Begisa was taken out for Ibrahim Wamannah.
Lubwama fouled and was booked in the 68th minute.
With 20 minutes to play, Watambala was denied by URA goalkeeper Omedwa in a one-versus-one situation after Okello’s inviting through-ball.
On 72 minutes, Vipers survived a nervy moment after Nyarwa’s teasing ball almost caused trouble to the venom’s defence-line.
Moments later, Sentamu curled way over and wide from the left flank.
The second goal arrived in fashion inside the final 13 minutes.
Kimera set up Luyima from 30 yards and the left back picked up his spot at the top left corner for a beauty of a goal.
Immediately after the goal, URA reacted with another double change; Ssekibengo paving way for Nicholas Kabonge and Ssemujju being rested for Bruno Bunyaga.
Vipers also made changes; Issa Bugembe replacing Moses Waiswa before a late double substitution; Uganda U-20 midfielder Abubakali Walusimbi taking over Allan Okello’s slot and Annest Ankunda replacing Sentamu.
Right at the death of the game, defender Livingstone Mulondo came on for Hilary Mukundane when the two added minutes had been indicated.
Vipers held on to win 2-0 and attain maximum points to establish a four- point lead from second placed NEC who faces KCCA in the all-Lugogo affair.
Reactions:
We knew the game would be very difficult. URA is a very good side with two good coaches. We knew they would be very resilient. We moved the ball more in the first half and hard an anticipation they would be tired. The league is no longer a marathon; this time it is a sprint. Isaac Ogwang had a very good game. He is a team person and we need him back as soon as possible. Against KCCA, our next opponent on Sunday; we have three or four days to recover. The team physio is doing a very good job and we shall need to put up our A-performance.
Fred Muhumuza, coach Vipers Sports Club
Team Line Ups:
Vipers XI: Alfred Macumu Mudekereza (GK), Nico Wadada Wakiro, Enock Luyima, Rogers Ochaki Torach, Hilary Panuel Mukundae, Patrick Mbowa, Abdulkarim Watambala, Moses Waiswa Ndhondhi, Allan Okello, Junior Yunus Sentamu, Isaac Ogwang
Changes:
46’ Kenneth Kimera ON, Isaac Ogwang OUT
85’ Issa Bugembe ON, Moses Waiswa OUT
89’ Abubakali Walusimbi ON, Allan Okello OUT
89’ Annest Ankunda ON, Junior Yunus Sentamu OUT
90’ Livingstone Mulondo ON, Hilary Mukundane OUT
Subs Not Used: Denis Kiggundu (G.K), Siraje Ssentamu, Mohamed Salem Ekbad, Frank Katongole, Gusto Wa Ilungo Mulongo, Richard Matovu
Coaches: Fred Muhumuza & John Luyinda
URA XI: Rogers Omedwa (G.K), James Penz Begisa, Enock Walusimbi (Captain), Joseph Bright Vuni, Joshua Letti Lubwama, Hudu Mulikyi, Joseph Ssemujju, Godfrey Ssekibengo, Moses Okabo Aliro, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Laban Tibiita
Changes:
18’ Joseph Bright Vuni OUT, Faizo Matovu ON
63’ Laban Tibiita OUT, Nyarwa Bitanywaine Olimi ON
63’ James Penz Begisa OUT, Ibrahim Wamannah ON
78’ Godfrey Ssekibengo OUT, Nicholas Kabonge ON
78’ Joseph Ssemujju OUT, Bruno Bunyaga ON
Subs Not Used: Norman Namanya, Justine Opiro, Amisi Bwangani, Abraham Kakensa Tusubira
Head coach: Alex Isabirye
Match officials:
- Referee: Shamirah Nabadda
- Assistant Referee 1: Elizabeth Nassolo
- Assistant Referee 2: Immaculate Ongiera
- Fourth official: Joseph Masembe
- Match commissioner: Stellah Otika Saima Kairungi
- Referees’ assessor: Catherine Adipo Wejuli
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