Sports
Lavagne apologises after Vipers suffer shock defeat to UPPC
“To our fans, I am so sorry for the poor performance today, but I hope we can perform better in the next game. Please come because we need your support.”
Vipers head coach Denis Lavagne apologised to the club’s fans after the defending champions opened their 2026/27 Uganda Premier League (UPL) campaign with a shock 1-0 defeat to Entebbe UPPC. (Photo by Ismail Mulangwa)
By: Yekoyada Saaka, Journalist @New Vision
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A disappointed Vipers head coach Denis Lavagne apologised to the club’s fans after the defending champions opened their 2026/27 Uganda Premier League (UPL) campaign with a shock 1-0 defeat to Entebbe UPPC at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Friday night.
“To our fans, I am so sorry for the poor performance today, but I hope we can perform better in the next game. Please come because we need your support,” said the French coach.
A Kevin Dyslyva own goal in the 32nd minute proved decisive as UPPC secured their first-ever victory over Vipers and spoiled the champions’ start to the new season.
Thomas Ochungo contesting for the ball with Faruku Miya. (Photo by Ismail Mulangwa)
The match was played under the shadow of tragedy, with players, officials and supporters observing a moment of silence before kick-off in honour of Tooro Kingdom’s King Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 34.
Vipers started brightly and dominated possession in the opening minutes but failed to turn their early pressure into clear scoring opportunities.
UPPC goalkeeper Denis Otim was called into action in the eighth minute when he dealt with a dangerous Farouk Miya corner, but the visitors gradually settled into the contest.
As UPPC grew in confidence, they began to find more space in midfield and frustrated Vipers with disciplined defending and organised movement.
The visitors nearly took the lead in the 21st minute when Gift Odongo released former Vipers forward Ibrahim Orit through on goal.
However, with only goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba to beat, Orit delayed his effort, attempted to shift the ball onto his left foot and slipped.
UPPC continued to threaten and eventually broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute.
Thomas Ochungo delivered a teasing cross into the Vipers' penalty area, but confusion between Mbaba and Dyslyva allowed the ball to deflect off the Congolese defender and into his own net.
Vipers nearly conceded again six minutes later when Mbaba spilled the ball inside his area, although the Gabonese goalkeeper recovered in time to collect the rebound.
The hosts had an opportunity to equalise before the break, but Gusto Mulongo fired wide from a promising position.
Lavagne was left frustrated by what he described as a poor first-half performance.
“I am very disappointed. I could not recognise my team in the first half. This is not how I want my team to play. It was a very bad performance,” said Lavagne.
He also pointed to the communication breakdown that led to the decisive own goal, questioning how it happened between two French-speaking players.
“I don’t know what happened between Dyslyva and the goalkeeper, because both players speak French, so I don’t know what caused the miscommunication.”
Vipers returned from the break with greater urgency, but UPPC remained compact and dangerous on the counterattack. Orit headed wide from a Sharif Ssengendo cross early in the second half.
Lavagne made changes in the 52nd minute, introducing Usama Arafat for Joel Sserunjogi, while UPPC brought on Hassan Ssenyonjo for Reich Kokolo.
The champions continued to push for an equaliser, with Marvin Youngman seeing a long-range effort blocked by Kelvin Barni in the 65th minute.
Vipers nearly conceded again six minutes later when Mbaba spilled the ball inside his area, although the Gabonese goalkeeper recovered in time to collect the rebound.
The hosts had an opportunity to equalise before the break, but Gusto Mulongo fired wide from a promising position.
Lavagne was left frustrated by what he described as a poor first-half performance.
“I am very disappointed. I could not recognise my team in the first half. This is not how I want my team to play. It was a very bad performance,” said Lavagne.
He also pointed to the communication breakdown that led to the decisive own goal, questioning how it happened between two French-speaking players.
“I don’t know what happened between Dyslyva and the goalkeeper, because both players speak French, so I don’t know what caused the miscommunication.”
Vipers returned from the break with greater urgency, but UPPC remained compact and dangerous on the counterattack. Orit headed wide from a Sharif Ssengendo cross early in the second half.
Lavagne made changes in the 52nd minute, introducing Usama Arafat for Joel Sserunjogi, while UPPC brought on Hassan Ssenyonjo for Reich Kokolo.
Kelvin Tah contesting for the ball with Gusto Mulongo. (Photo by Ismail Mulangwa)
The champions continued to push for an equaliser, with Marvin Youngman seeing a long-range effort blocked by Kelvin Barni in the 65th minute.
Attackers Yunus Sentamu and Isaac Ogwang were later introduced by Lavagne as Vipers searched for a way back into the contest, but UPPC’s defence stood firm to protect their lead.
The visitors’ midfield played a key role in the victory, with Ibrahim Mugulusi, Steven Munguchi and Emmanuel Lisat denying Vipers the space and time needed to build attacks.
Miya and Abdulkarim Watambala struggled to influence the game, while Mulongo was often isolated up front due to a lack of service.
Vipers also failed to get the expected quality from the wide areas. Nigerian winger Odili Chukwuma’s crosses were repeatedly dealt with by Ochungo, while full-backs Ashraf Mandela and Princewill Tarabina were unable to provide the attacking threat that has often helped the champions break down opponents.
Lavagne admitted he could not explain the dramatic drop in his side’s performance just a week after Vipers lifted the FUFA Super Cup.
“I don't know what happened to the players. The last time, we played a good game against Kitara in the Super Cup where we created so many opportunities, scored nice goals and defended well, but today, I could not recognise my team.”
The defeat was particularly surprising considering Vipers had gone unbeaten on their way to winning the league title last season and had spent a long time without losing a domestic game at Kitende.
For UPPC, the victory represented a perfect execution of their game plan.
Head coach Abdallah Mubiru and his assistant Livingstone Mbabazi, both former head coaches at Vipers, guided their side to a disciplined performance and a historic first victory over the champions.
UPPC’s sharper performance could also be linked to their recent competitive preparations in the FUFA Super 8, while Vipers missed the tournament due to their participation in the CECAFA Kagame Cup in Rwanda, where they exited at the group stage.
Vipers now have little time to recover, with a crucial CAF Champions League first preliminary round match against Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou scheduled for Saturday at Kitende.
Lavagne, who was appointed in July after replacing Ivan Minnaert, admitted his side must respond quickly.
“It is a good lesson for us to learn from our mistakes. We have one week to prepare for the Champions League game,” he said.
The visitors’ midfield played a key role in the victory, with Ibrahim Mugulusi, Steven Munguchi and Emmanuel Lisat denying Vipers the space and time needed to build attacks.
Miya and Abdulkarim Watambala struggled to influence the game, while Mulongo was often isolated up front due to a lack of service.
Vipers also failed to get the expected quality from the wide areas. Nigerian winger Odili Chukwuma’s crosses were repeatedly dealt with by Ochungo, while full-backs Ashraf Mandela and Princewill Tarabina were unable to provide the attacking threat that has often helped the champions break down opponents.
Lavagne admitted he could not explain the dramatic drop in his side’s performance just a week after Vipers lifted the FUFA Super Cup.
“I don't know what happened to the players. The last time, we played a good game against Kitara in the Super Cup where we created so many opportunities, scored nice goals and defended well, but today, I could not recognise my team.”
The defeat was particularly surprising considering Vipers had gone unbeaten on their way to winning the league title last season and had spent a long time without losing a domestic game at Kitende.
For UPPC, the victory represented a perfect execution of their game plan.
Head coach Abdallah Mubiru and his assistant Livingstone Mbabazi, both former head coaches at Vipers, guided their side to a disciplined performance and a historic first victory over the champions.
UPPC’s sharper performance could also be linked to their recent competitive preparations in the FUFA Super 8, while Vipers missed the tournament due to their participation in the CECAFA Kagame Cup in Rwanda, where they exited at the group stage.
Vipers now have little time to recover, with a crucial CAF Champions League first preliminary round match against Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou scheduled for Saturday at Kitende.
Lavagne, who was appointed in July after replacing Ivan Minnaert, admitted his side must respond quickly.
“It is a good lesson for us to learn from our mistakes. We have one week to prepare for the Champions League game,” he said.