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KCCA FIGHT BACK, BUT VIPERS CLAIM VICTORY IN STYLE

Vipers SC defeated rivals KCCA FC 1-0 at St. Mary's Stadium, handing the league leaders their first loss of the season. Allan Okello capitalised on a goalkeeping error for the decisive goal in a tight encounter.

KCCA Fight Back, But Vipers Claim Victory in Style
First-half goal from Allan Okello seals a 1-0 victory - COURTESY/PHOTO

In a much-anticipated match on Friday at St. Mary's Stadium in Kitende, Vipers SC defeated KCCA FC and earned all of the points.

The Venoms had a strong start and did, in fact, take a well-earned lead at halftime. In the end, they put up a strong defence to win all three points.

Vipers had already caused enough damage to condemn KCCA to their first loss of the season, even though they made progress in the second half.

The Vipers started Allan Okello and Yunus Sibira ahead of captain Milton Karisa and Gusto Mulongo, two changes from the squad that defeated Entebbe.

Conversely, KCCA FC made one substitution, starting Gavin Kizito Mugweri at right defender instead of Enock Walusimbi.

From the beginning, the home team controlled the game, with KCCA hardly making an effort. Vipers' tactical savvy paid off as they stifled the middle and prevented the KCCA FC wingers from running into space.

Joel Walusimbi, Saidi Mayanja, and Umar Lutalo were unable to keep up with Enock Ssebagala, Marvin Joseph Youngman, and Karim Watambala's dominance in the middle.

The Venoms made a wise move by assigning Rogers Torach to right back, as the hosts frequently switch to a back three when not in possession, joining Kevin Daslyva and Hillary Mukundane at the centre of defence.

In the tenth minute, Vipers had their first chance when Ssebagala found himself inside the area but missed his shot with the goal staring at him.

Arafat Usama was active on the right flank and made a number of inroads despite being up against his former employers for the first time.

Two minutes past the half, Okello scored after taking advantage of a mistake made by goalie Charles Lukwago.

After making the donkey work on the left wing, Yunus Sentamu laid the ball into the area, but Lukwago was unable to handle the weak attempt and instead let it fall into Okello's oncoming path.

Jackson Magera, the co-coach of KCCA FC, then demanded a change and substituted Ashiraf Mugume with Umar Lutalo, who was not playing well that day.

The second half was completely different from the first, with Vipers coming solely with new ideas and KCCA FC returning refreshed.

Although KCCA FC's on-field performance improved, they were unable to make the breakthrough because goalie Alfred Mudekereza was hardly used.

As a result, KCCA FC is still leading the table with 11 points, while Vipers have won their first two games and are now in tenth place with six points.

Vipers will play Maroons at home, and KCCA FC will play URA FC at home when they resume play following the international break.

KCCA BOUNCE BACK: KASASIRO BOYS OVERCOME RECENT SLUMP WITH A GRITTY 2-1 BUL WIN

KCCA are back: Discover how Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Herbert Achai secured a 2-1 win over Bul to rejoin the UPL title race.

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KCCA climbs to fourth as UPL title race heats up in February

Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Herbert Achai both found the net for KCCA, either side of a Denis Sewagudde goal, in a win that really should let coaches Ssenyondo and Jackson Magera breathe a little easier.

Zeal. Hunger. Character. Attitude. That’s what KCCA coach Brian Ssenyondo wanted to see after his team got handed their third loss in five games last week, a 3-1 defeat to NEC that stung. This time, he finally got it. KCCA showed all those qualities and pulled off a gritty 2-1 victory over Bul in the Uganda Premier League at Phillip Omondi Stadium on Wednesday night.

Ahimbisibwe and Achai scored for KCCA, with Sewagudde briefly levelling for Bul, and the result means Ssenyondo and Magera can at least feel the pressure lift for now.

But maybe more importantly, this win drags KCCA back into the title race. They’re now sitting on 33 points from 17 games, just five behind leaders Vipers.

The game started off tight, both sides feeling each other out, but Bul looked a little sharper early on. Even so, it was KCCA who broke the deadlock in the 31st minute with their first real chance. They overloaded the right, Saidi Mayanja whipped in a cross, and Ahimbisibwe, timing his run just right, dived in for a header. That’s his seventh goal of the season, and honestly, he’s been one of the few bright spots among the club’s new signings.

KCCA then had to dig in. Achai made a crucial block to deny Karim Ndugwa after a cross from Reagan Kalyowa. But just before halftime, the tricky Sewagudde bent in a free kick that completely wrong-footed KCCA keeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa, and Bul were level.

After the break, KCCA rediscovered their missing edge. Four minutes into the second half, left-back Achai stormed forward, played a quick one-two with Ashraf Mugume, then hammered the ball past Bul’s Ikara at the near post.

From there, KCCA held Bul at bay, sealing a rare home-and-away double over their Njeru-based rivals, who remain eighth on 20 points.

Earlier that day, Lugazi captain Richard Ayiko grabbed the winner as his side edged UPDF 1-0 in Najjembe, giving them a six-point cushion above the relegation zone. And at the bottom, Calvary finally picked up their fifth point of the season with a goalless draw against Express in Yumbe.

TITLE RACE HEAT: HOW VIPERS DROPPING HOME POINTS GIVES KITARA A CHANCE TO STRIKE

Vipers SC stay top of the UPL with 38 points! Discover how Warren Buule’s equaliser for NEC FC shook up the title race at Kitende.

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Vipers stay top with 38 points, but Kitara is closing fast

NEC are stuck in seventh place with 24 points from 17 games. Vipers, even after dropping home points for just the second time this season, hang on to the top spot with 38.

Honestly, NEC have drawn more games than they'd like, nine out of 17. That’s a lot of stalemates in the Startimes Uganda Premier League. But this time, their 1-1 draw away to the reigning champs, Vipers, felt like more than just another point. It actually meant something, especially under the lights at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Tuesday evening.

Vipers came out flying. They grabbed the lead early and pretty much ran the first half. Six minutes in, Milton Karisa latched onto a slick through ball from Karim Watambala and curled a lovely left-footed shot past NEC keeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo. That was Karisa’s sixth goal of the season, and for a minute there, it looked like the Vipers were about to run riot, just like they did in their 4-0 demolition of Buhimba last time at home.

NEC looked shaky. Coach Badru Kaddu had seen enough and made two early changes, bringing on Shamir Kimwero and Joseph Dhata for Rashid Kawawa and Daniel Shabene inside 25 minutes. The switch helped steady things, but NEC didn’t really come to life until the second half.

Then, with 15 minutes left, substitute Emmanuel Kulanga swung in a cross, and Warren Buule was there at the far post to head in the equaliser. That goal was well earned; NEC were much better after the break. Richard Basangwa, playing up front, kept his old team busy and even got Bady Da Silva and Enoch Ssebagala booked. Ssebagala didn’t last much longer, getting subbed off after a rough tackle on his former side.

NEC has been busy in the mid-season transfer window. They’ve already added six new faces, and more are on the way. Sam Ssekamatte, who scored five goals for UPDF in the first round, watched from the stands with the rest of the unused squad.

So, NEC holds on to seventh, Vipers stay top, but Kitara could shake things up if they beat URA on Thursday. This title race isn’t done yet.

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