Uganda Premier League 2024-2025: Match no. 206: Vipers 1-0 UPDF Vipers Sports Club made it eight points from second-placed NEC as the final bend of the 2024-2025 Uganda Premier League fast approaches. A 1-0 result over the hard-fighting UPDF was the result that propelled Vipers to yet another routine win at their St Mary’s Stadium fortress. Substitute Gusto Wa Ilungo Mulongo came off the bench to nip home the sole goal inside the final 20 minutes of the flood-lit match. Mulongo had replaced Yunus Sentamu after 63 minutes before he poked home the goal after Allan Okello’s initial free-kick was parried by the UPDF goalkeeper Richard Anyama. Before the goal, the home side had been wasteful, missing glorious scoring moments through skipper Milton Karisa, Allan Okello, Yunus Junior Sentamu and Abdul Karim Watambala. The hosts dominated the opening stages of the game and would have easily taken the lead just after five minutes. From close range, defender Hilary Mukundane miskicked the ball after skipper Karisa had headed in his path from a well-delivered Moses Waiswa free-kick. UPDF got their first attempt on target in the 7th minute when a shot from Swaibu Kasujja Kalule was well pocketed by goalkeeper Alfred Macumu Mudekereza. In the 13th minute, UPDF goalkeeper Richard Anyama reacted quicker off the line to thwart the on-rushing Karisa. The goalie punched the ball in the path of Watambala whose shot was deflected for a corner kick. It was Vipers again when Karisa laid the ball for Watambala but UPDF defender Aggrey Kirya was quicker to slide the ball for a corner kick. Moments later, UPDF forward Emmanuel Manu Ochen shot way over from an acute angle off 35 yards. On the half-hour mark, Yunus Sentamu shot way off target with a left-footed first-time volley inside the goal area. Towards the end of the opening half, Karisa headed over an inviting cross from Okello on the left flank as the Venoms sought the opener. Samuel Ssekamatte Kayongo had a shot from 30 yards that flew over off a well-timed left-footed shot from about 30 yards. UPDF midfielder Joseph Janjali curled narrowly over after a defensive mix-up by the hosts defence. Vipers had a penalty overturned when referee Joshua Duula initially pointed to the spot as Okello easily fell from minimal contact with goalkeeper Anyama. Upon consultation from the first assistant referee Hakim Mulindwa, the decision to award the penalty was recalled by the referee. UPDF returned second half much energized and composed, dominating the first five minutes of the final stanza. Janjali crossed from the right wing but goalkeeper Mudekereza dived to push away the ball. Towards the hour mark, it was Janjali again who played a well-weighted ball in the path of Ssekamatte who shot wide of Mudekerezza’s goal posts. On the quick break, Karisa laid the ball from the right wing but Yunus Sentamu was far from making contact. Vipers’ blues continued on the night with a double miss in the 61st minute. Yunus Sentamu was initially denied by the goalkeeper Anyama as the ball bounced off his chest before Okello shot the rebound wide. This happened to have been Sentamu’s contribution in the game as he paved way for Congolese forward Mulongo in the 63rd minute. Mulongo initially struggled to join the party with a couple of mis-controlled balls before he settled in swiftly and grew in confidence. UPDF right back Christopher Kamagu got cautioned for time wasting as he hesitated to make a throw-in on 66 minutes. Vipers missed yet another chance to score in the 69th minute when Okello squared the ball for captain Karisa who slid and tapped the ball wide, inches from goal. Angolan import Pedro Honjo Chimbiambinlu (Sukuya) replaced Moses Waiswa Ndhondhi in the 72nd minute when Okello readied self to execute a free-kick on the edge of the goal area. Okello’s initial chip was parried by goalie Anyama with Mulongo stabbing the rebound over the line for the goal in the 73rd minute. With 12 minutes left on the clock, UPDF introduced Rashid Faridi and Brian Kalumba for Ochen and Ssekamatte respectively. Mulongo got cautioned for a foul in the 82nd minute. UPDF called for a double change with 5 minutes to play; Bashir Kabuye coming on for Frank Gladison Mugisa and Kitara replacing the lively Andrew Samson Kigozi. Precautionary, Vipers also introduced two players with defensive exploits; Issa Bugembe for Watambala and Paul Patrick Mbowa for Okello. There was drama when the fourth official, Diana Murungi, raised the substitution board showing 40 minutes as the crowd shouted aloud. Vipers held on to the slim 1-0 lead and won the game, much to the delight of the fans. The victory further strengthens Vipers’ grip at the summit with 62 points off 26 games, an enviable 8 points difference from second-placed NEC who have a game in hand. Team Line Ups: Vipers XI: Alfred Mudekereza Macumu (G.K), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Derrick Ndahiro, Hilary Panuel Mukundane, Rogers Torach Ochaki, Siraje Sentamu, Milton Karisa (Captain), Allan Okello, Abdul Karim Watambala, Moses Waiswa Ndhondhi, Yunus Junior Sentamu Subs: Jack Komakech (G.K), Dennis Kiggundu (G.K), Grant Matisko, Livingstone Mulondo, Mohamed Salem Ekbad, Isaac Ogwang, Paul Patrick Mbowa, Gusto Wa Ilungo Mulongo, Pedro Honjo Chimbiambinlu, Issa Bugembe, Richard Matovu, Abubakali Walusimbi UPDF XI: Richard Anyama (G.K), Aggrey Kirya, Denis Sekitoleko (Captain), Joseph Janjali, Andrew Samson Kigozi, Ronald Kayondo, Swaibu Kasujja Kalule, Christopher Kamagu, Emmanuel Manu Ochen, Frank Gladison Mugisa, Samuel Ssekamatte Kayongo Subs: Yusuf Wasswa (G.K), Derrick Jim Ssekulima, Christopher Tebandeke, Rashid Faridi, Daniel Kitara, Bashir Kabuye, Brian Kalumba, Asaph Ssegujja, Enrique Lubwama Head coach: Paul Kiwanuka Match officials: Center Referee: Joshua Duula 1st Assistant Referee: Hakim Mulindwa 2nd Assistant Referee: Lydia Nantabo Wanyama Fourth official: Diana Murungi Commissioner: Hamza Nsereko Kawuma Referee Assessor: Ali Kalyango