Vipers and KCCA face tricky away tests as UPL title race enters defining phase

Uganda Premier League

Today, 4pm
UPPC v KCCA
Buhimba v Vipers
BUL v UPDF
Police v URA
Mbarara v Maroons

At 8pm
Express v NEC

Tomorrow
Kitara v Calvary
Lugazi v SC Villa

With just seven matches left to play, the Uganda Premier League (UPL) title race enters a defining phase today as leaders Vipers SC and second-placed KCCA FC both face tricky away assignments in their pursuit of the crown.

Defending champions Vipers, who lead the standings with 52 points, travel to Hoima City to face relegation-threatened Buhimba United Saints at Royal Park in Butema.

Four points behind them, KCCA, on 48 points, make the trip to Bugonga for a potentially explosive encounter against UPPC Entebbe at the Fisheries Grounds.

For both title contenders, anything short of victory could prove costly in a race that has tightened significantly in recent weeks.

Vipers head to the Oil City under pressure to rediscover their winning touch after consecutive draws against Kitara (0-0) and SC Villa (1-1), results that have reopened the title contest after they had earlier enjoyed a comfortable lead at the summit.

Despite the recent stumbles, the Venoms will be overwhelming favourites against a Buhimba side enduring a miserable run of form. The hosts have gone 11 league matches without victory, collecting just two points from a possible 33 after suffering nine defeats and two draws.

Their last league win came back in January, a narrow 1-0 home triumph over Maroons, and they now find themselves firmly embroiled in the relegation battle.

Given Buhimba’s struggles and Vipers’ squad depth and quality, this is a fixture the champions simply cannot afford to slip up in if they are to keep control of the title race.

The reverse fixture further underlines the gulf between the two sides, with Vipers cruising to a commanding 4-0 victory at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, courtesy of goals from Abubakali Walusimbi, Abdulkarim Watambala and a brace from Milton Karisa.

Meanwhile, KCCA will arrive in Entebbe with renewed belief after last Friday’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over then third-placed Kitara (47 points) at the Philip Omondi Stadium in Lugogo. Joel Sserunjogi’s decisive strike kept the Kasasiro Boys firmly in the hunt and reduced the gap on the leaders.

However, today’s contest presents another stern examination. UPPC, under former KCCA coach Abdallah Mubiru, will be highly motivated to frustrate his former employers.

Mubiru’s departure from Lugogo was far from smooth, and the tactician will relish the opportunity to dent KCCA’s title ambitions once again.

He already inflicted damage earlier this season when his side stunned KCCA 1-0 at Lugogo, with Ambrose Kigozi scoring the winner in a memorable result.

Adding further spice to the fixture is the presence of former KCCA players Isa Mubiru, Mustafa Mujjuzi and Julius Poloto, all of whom followed Mubiru to Entebbe and will be eager to prove a point against their former club.

UPPC also head into the clash in high spirits following a 2-1 away win over Buhimba in their previous outing. While they will be seeking to build on that momentum, they also need to improve their home form after failing to win their last two matches in Bugonga, drawing 0-0 with URA before falling 2-0 to SC Villa.

Much of the attacking burden for the hosts will rest on Kigozi, who has netted 10 goals this season. He is expected to lead the line alongside Steven Munguchi, Hassan Ssenyonjo and Isa Bugembe.

For KCCA, league top scorer Ivan Ahimbisibwe, who has 11 goals, will be central to their attacking plans, supported by Saidi Mayanja, Shafik Kwikiriza and the in-form Sserunjogi.

UPL Table

Pos Club P W D L F A GD Pts

1 Vipers 23 15 7 1 43 15 +28 52

2 KCCA 23 14 3 5 35 18 +17 48

3 Kitara 23 14 5 4 34 14 +20 47

4 Villa 23 13 6 4 33 12 +21 45

5 UPPC 23 10 7 5 21 15 +6 40