Police hold Vipers, throw title race wide open
The Venoms, who came into the fixture looking to strengthen their grip at the summit, were unable to find a breakthrough despite dominating large spells of the encounter.
PHOTOS: Richard Sanya
Uganda Premier League
Tuesday Result
Police 0 Vipers 0
Wednesday, 4pm
UPDF v KCCA
The Uganda Premier League (UPL) title race took another dramatic twist on Tuesday after Police FC held leaders Vipers SC to a frustrating goalless draw at Kira Road Arena in Kamwokya.
The Venoms, who came into the fixture looking to strengthen their grip at the summit, were unable to find a breakthrough despite dominating large spells of the encounter.
The result leaves the reigning champions on 61 points and presents second-placed KCCA FC with a huge opportunity to close the gap.
The Kasasiro Boys, currently on 55 points, can move within three points of the leaders if they overcome UPDF FC in Wednesday’s clash at Bombo Military Barracks.
A win for Vipers would have taken them to 63 points and increased the pressure on their chasing rivals, but a resilient Police side stood firm to deny them maximum points.
Police goalkeeper Sammon Oloka was central to the hosts’ resistance, producing a series of fine saves to keep out Glodi Beyuku, Arafat Usama and Abdul Karim Watambala.
The Venoms also endured moments of frustration in front of goal. Beyuku thought he had finally broken the deadlock in the 60th minute after reacting quickest to head home a rebound from Odili Chukwuma’s free-kick, which had struck the crossbar.
However, assistant referee Ashraf Kateregga ruled out the effort for offside, much to Vipers’ disappointment.
Watambala came agonisingly close to giving the visitors the lead early in the second half when his strike rattled the left post in the 47th minute.
Earlier, Usama had squandered another promising opening in the 44th minute after failing to hit the target with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The draw extends Vipers’ worrying run to four consecutive matches without victory in all competitions, a slump that could prove costly in the closing stages of the campaign.
Elsewhere, third-placed Kitara FC, on 54 points, were by press time set to face Express FC at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
Victory for the Royals would see them further tighten the title race by moving within four points of the leaders.
Despite the latest setback, Vipers remain masters of their own fate. Even if both KCCA and Kitara win their respective Matchday 28 fixtures, the Venoms can still retain the title by winning their remaining league matches against Maroons FC and Express FC.
