Vipers SC earned maximum points against KCCA FC as the two teams faced off in a highly anticipated game on Friday at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
The Venoms were brilliant at the start and indeed took a deserved lead at the break. They eventually defended resiliently to take all three points.
Despite KCCA improving in the second half, Vipers had already done the damage to condemn them to their first loss of the season.
Vipers made two changes from the team that won the game against Entebbe with Allan Okello and Yunus Sibira starting ahead of skipper Milton Karisa and Gusto Mulongo.
On the other hand, KCCA FC made one change with Gavin Kizito Mugweri starting in the right back position, ahead of Enock Walusimbi.
The home side dominated proceedings right from onset with KCCA barely laying hand. Vipers tactical acumen paid off, suffocating the midfield while not offering KCCA FC wingers opportunity to run into space.
Enock Ssebagala, Marvin Joseph Youngman and Karim Watambala were too dominant in the midfield with their counterparts in Joel Walusimbi, Saidi Mayanja and Umar Lutalo failing to march them.
The deployment of Rogers Torach in right back was itself a good move for the Venoms, with the hosts often turning into a back three when not in possession, joining Hillary Mukundane and Kevin Daslyva at the heart of defence.
The first opportunity for Vipers came in the tenth minute when Ssebagala found himself inside the area but put his effort wide with the goal gaping at him.
Arafat Usama who was facing his former employers for the first time, was lively on the right wing, making several inroads.
The goal arrived two minutes after the half hour mark with Okello capitalizing on a blunder by goalkeeper Charles Lukwago.
Yunus Sentamu made the donkey work on the left wing before laying the ball into the area but Lukwago failed to deal with the feeble effort and instead spilled it into the path of onrushing Okello.
KCCA FC co-Coach Jackson Magera thereafter called for a change, introducing Ashiraf Mugume in place of Umar Lutalo who was off color on the day.
The second half was the exact opposite of the first, with KCCA FC returning rejuvenated while Vipers came back only in fresh not in mind.
Whereas KCCA FC improved in the display on pitch, they failed to find the breakthrough with goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza barely made busy.
Karisa who came on in the second half, had a glorious opportunity to double the lead for Vipers six minutes from time but he missed a seater when Ashraf Mandela teed him up.
The result means Vipers have won their first two games and move to tenth place on six points while KCCA FC remain top of the table on 11 points.
KCCA FC will return to action after the international break with a home fixture against URA FC while Vipers will also be at home to Maroons.
