URA FC 2-1 Vipers SC
Midfielder Shafik Kagimu and Steven Mukwala inspired URA’s 2-1 win over Uganda Premier League defending champions Vipers SC in Saturday’s early kickoff played under the scorching sunshine at the Arena of Visions in Bombo.
Substitute Ceazer Manzoki’s consolation was not enough to secure Vipers a point off the Tax collectors who have now recorded six successive League victories.
Shafik Kagimu put URA in a halftime lead after firing home a rebound off goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora’s poorly puched ball with three minutes to the break.
The hosts launched an attack and Davis Ssali forced a save from goalkeeper Mutombora who spilled the ball in Kagimu’s path for the skipper to finish off on a rebound.
The goal was Kagimu’s fourth in six outings against Vipers Sports Club which also proved to be the game’s final defining moment in the opening stanza.
After the break, Vipers made double Substitutions introducing Paul Mucureezi and congolese forward Ceazer Manzoki for Allan Kayiwa and midfielder David Bagoole.
After 60 minutes of play, striker Steven Mukwala punished his former paymasters to double the hosts’ advantage.
The 2019/2020 top scorer capitalized on Vipers’ clumsy defending after Bobos Byaruhanga’s miscalculated ball met the pacy forward who beat his marker for speed and pocked home past a helpless Mutombora.
Immediately after celebrations, tactician Sam Ssimbwa made two changes withdrawing Ivan Sserubiri and Davis Ssali off the pitch for pint-sized Moses Sseruyidde and Michael Birungi.
Vipers also reacted with two other changes as U-20 AFCON finalist Richard Basangwa replaced midfielder Byaruhanga before Joseph Dhata paved way for St Mary’s SS graduate Abdul Karim Watambala.
In the 73rd minute, Vipers’ substitute Manzoki cut on the deficit off a reflex glancing header. He met a Disan Galiwango well laid free-kick to nod home leaving custodian Hanington Sebwalunyo with no chance whatsoever.
Despite Vipers putting URA on tension in the closing minutes, the hosts held nerves to bag maximum home points.
URA ascends to the league summit on 33 points, three points ahead of Vipers Sports Club that dropped to 2nd after match day 14.
Team Lineups
URA FC
Hanington Sebwalunyo (GK), Ashiraf Mandela, Brian Majwega, Huudu Mulikyi, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Paul Patrick Mbowa, Ivan Sserubiri, Shafik Kagimu, Cromwell Rwothomio, Davis Ssali, Steven Mukwala
Substitutes: Mwaka, Arafat Galiwango, Ibrahim Dada, Brian Nkuubi, Moses Sseruyidde, Michael Birungi, Katongole
Vipers SC
Fabien Mutombora (GK), Joseph Dhata, Bashir Asiku, Disan Galiwango, Siraje Sentamu, Bobos Byaruhanga, David Bagoole, Yunus Sentamu, Ibrahim Bagoole, Allan Kayiwa
Substitutes: Bashir Sekajja, Karim Watambala, Paul Mucureezi, Jamil Kalisa, Ceazer Manzoki, Richard Basangwa, Musa Ssali
Match Officials
Center referee: William Oloya
Assistant ref 1: Ronald Kayenya
Assistant ref 2: Okello Lee
Fourth Official: Shamira Nabadda
Referee’s Assessor: Nsubuga Faizal