Vipers Overcome Busoga United To Keep Title Hopes Alive

UPL Results | Tue, May 14, 2024

FT’ Busoga United 1-2 Vipers
FT’ SC Villa 2-1 URA
FT’ Bright Stars 1-0 Kitara
FT’ KCCA 4-0 Wakiso Giants
FT’ Mbarara City 0-0 BUL
FT’ UPDF 2-1 Maroons

Uganda Premier League (UPL) defending champions Vipers won 2-1 against relegation-threatened Busoga United to keep this season’s title hopes alive.

At the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, Milton Karisa scored the opener for the visitors, tapping in from close range after Allan Okello got down the left wing and crossed inside the box for the Vipers’ captain to score in the 22nd minute.

Vipers went into the first half break with a slim 1-0 win. After an hour played, the Venoms made a double substitution, bringing on Abdul Nsereko and Abubakali Walusimbi for Eric Kambale and Moses Waiswa.

In the 66th minute, Emmanuel Ajo leveled matters for the home side, also taking his debut UPL season’s goals tally to eight.

Just moments after Ajo’s goal, Abdul Nsereko scored his first competitive goal for Vipers to restore their lead against Busoga in the 67th minute.

Following SC Villa’s (54) late 2-1 comeback win against URA, Vipers (53) will have to settle for second position on the table, and now count on their last game against Mbarara City at Kitende on Saturday, May 18.

The Venoms are now second best in the race to the title, and it’s a bit complicated for them now that they will also have to wish that SC Villa drop points to NEC at Lugogo on the last day of the season, as they hope to pick maximum points against the Ankole Lions at Kitende.

For now, the venoms can however sigh with great relief, atleast two of the top contenders dropped points – Kitara (51) lost 1-0 to Bright Stars, while BUL (53) drew 0-0 away to Mbarara City.

Lineups Used:

Busoga United XI; Michael Lutaaya (GK), Isaac Doka Mweru (C), Isaac Isinde, Hassan Kintu, Ronald Kasamba, Bashamu Mugwa, Emmanuel Ajo, Musa Kasimba, Jeremy Matata, Stephen Odongo, George Dhafa

Substitutes; Charles Mulanda, Aggrey Madoi, Simon Ogama, Hamisi Batega, Sharifu Ziraba, Franco Mugomba, Allan Galandhi, Moses Logono, Hussein Ssajjabi

Vipers XI; Alfred Mudekereza (GK), Milton Karisa (C), Marvin Youngman, Allan Okello, Hilary Mukundane, Patrick Mbowa, Eric Kambale, Karim Watambala, Moses Waiswa, Grant Matsiko, Enock Luyima

Substitutes; Richard Matovu, Siraje Ssentamu, Salem Ekbad, Abubakar Lawal, Jack Komakech, Frank Katongole, Rogers Torach, Abubakali Walusimbi, Abdul Nsereko