Vipers title defense suffered a major setback on Friday as the team struggled to pick an point in Jinja against the JMC Hippos in a highly charged and tense match.
The debutants showed no signs of respect to the defending champions from the onset.
JMC captain Richard Wandyaka was the first to dare the Buokwe side with a stunning shot in the second minute which found Watenga ready for action.
Sekisambu missed three close chances to in both halves, the first in the 20th minute when he dribbled past Bageya and Makiro in defense but was unfortunate to be brought down by Walangarira just at the edge of the box.
His powerful kick brushed Makiro’s head before kissing the top bar for a corner.
Drama
The referee was thereafter forced to stop the game for almost five minutes complaining that fans sitting at the pavilion were pelting stones to the playing area.
It was then discovered that the fans were protesting a series of poor calls from the official.
Later in the half, the game stopped again when an section of fans pelted objects to the second assistant claiming he was under instructions to deny JMC a goal.
JMC defender, Edwin Bageya caused panic in his own goal when he headed back Lwaliwa’s cross to his un-expecting goalie. However the keeper composed and quickly stretched to punch out for a corner.
William Wadri missed the chance of the half after beating the offside trap but unfortunately missed Brian Nkuubi’s cross that found him with an empty net.
2nd half
Abdulrahman Ajab had his goal cancelled in the 82nd minute for an offside. earlier on, wandyaka’s goal bound shot was blocked by Bakaki inside the six yard but calls for a penalty were ignored.
Sekisambu missed the last chance Towards the end of the game, after his intended loop past an advancing Nantamu just raised above the bar dropping in the back net.
The draw coupled with KCCA FC win against Villa leaves the champions in a compromised situation where they have to win all their three remaining games against Saints, URA and Simba and hope the leaders drop a point against Express or Sadolin