Domestic double in sight as Vipers clash with Kitara in Uganda Cup Semi

Uganda Cup

Semi-final

Return legs

Saturday 3pm

Kitara v Vipers, Agg (0-1)

Sunday 3pm

Kataka v KCCA, Agg (0-3)

With the Uganda Premier League title already secured, Vipers return to action on Saturday in the Uganda Cup semi-final return leg against rivals Kitara FC at the Royal Park in Butema, Hoima City.

Their mission is clear: book a spot in the final and move closer to a domestic double.

This match comes just three days after the two sides met at the same venue, where Vipers comfortably defeated a rotated Kitara side 2-0 to seal the league title.

Vipers will look to build on their 1-0 first-leg advantage, earned two weeks ago at Kitende courtesy of a late winner from Yunus Sentamu, Kitara’s tormentor-in-chief in recent clashes between the two sides.

Kitara, who downplayed their midweek loss by claiming they had fielded a second-string team to conserve energy for this Uganda Cup clash, are expected to name a full-strength lineup. They will need to overturn the first-leg deficit to keep their title defence alive.

That said, many Kitara fans were unimpressed with head coach Wasswa Bbosa’s decision to rest key players on Wednesday. While some agreed it was a tactical move to prioritize tomorrow's match, others felt it handed Vipers the league on a silver platter. Failing to eliminate Vipers could fuel more discontent among the club’s passionate supporters.

For their part, Vipers, under the guidance of coaches John Luyinda and Fred Muhumuza, are chasing a historic domestic double, winning both the league and the Uganda Cup. The club last achieved this feat in the 2022/2023 season under former coach Alex Isabirye.

Having already beaten Kitara twice this season in the league and Uganda Cup first leg, Vipers will aim to make it a treble of victories. The only blemish in their head-to-head record this season is a goalless league draw at Kitende.

Key players to watch for Vipers include Yunus Sentamu, who has netted twice in two encounters against Kitara this season, captain Milton Karisa who has been outstanding since returning from injury, and league top scorer Allan Okello, who has 18 goals to his name.

Under pressure Bbosa is expected to recall the seven starters he rested midweek, including first-choice goalkeeper Crispus Kusiima, Patrick Kaddu, Titus Ssematimba, Lazaro Bwambale, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Jasper Aheebwa, and David Ndihabwe.

Notably, last season’s encounters between the two sides, both at Kitara’s home, also brought drama. While Vipers won the league meeting, Kitara knocked them out of the Uganda Cup quarter-finals in a dramatic 6-5 penalty shootout victory.

On Sunday, joint Uganda Cup record holders (10-times) KCCA with a commanding 3-0 first-leg lead over FUFA Big League side Kataka, will travel to Mbale aiming to complete the job and seal their place in the final.

KCCA will approach that tie in red-hot form, having scored 10 goals in their last two league outings without conceding. Though Kataka boast a strong home record against visiting Kampala sides, KCCA remain favourites to advance.

Beyond the trophy and prize money, the Uganda Cup also offers a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup. With Vipers already qualified for the CAF Champions League by virtue of their league triumph, both Kitara and KCCA will be desperate to clinch the remaining continental slot.