Vipers beat Villa to climb to top

By Fred Kyambadde

Erisa Sekisambu scored against his former club SC Villa to help Vipers FC go top of the Azam Premier League table.

It is a perfect start to the season for the reigning champions, who remain unbeaten so far.

Sekisambu, who joined the Kitende-based club in July this year, hit home to put the visitors in the lead 20 minutes into the game.

The virtuoso forward slotted home from a rebound after the Villa keeper punched away Miya Farouk’s effort. But Sekisambu did not celebrate his goal in front of his former teammates.

After restart, former Proline FC player William Wadri struck to double Vipers’ lead before Dennis Kamanzi scored a consolation goal for the hosts.

Last season’s Uganda Cup champions directed early test shots towards the visitors’ goal – once, Umar Kasumba came close to scoring the opener had the ball evaded the woodwork.

Shortly later, Kamanzi lacked the sharpness to slot home when he selfishly tried to go solo in front of goal.

And their profligacy came at a cost when Sekisambu tapped in to put the visitors in front.

Pressure on the hosts intensified as Vipers stretched their lead further courtesy of Wadri’s brilliant goal after a series of deft passes.

The league champions dominated possession and showed better passing, a performance that places them on top with 14 points and three points clear of KCCA FC who are in second place.

Head-to-head, Vipers picked their 10th win over Villa in their 21 meetings.

Villa not only suffered a blow to their title challenge, they also saw their keeper Stephen Odongo pick up a serious injury while trying to keep out Sekisambu’s goal – and had him replaced.

Despite late pressure from the hosts for an equalizer, Vipers held on to bag three points that will prove crucial as the season shapes up.

Meanwhile earlier, Vipers FC Under-17 side brushed aside SC Villa Under-17 with a similar margin in the FUFA Junior League.

Vipers came from behind to emerge victors over the hosts.