Sports
Vipers edge Gor Mahia to move closer to CECAFA Kagame Cup semi-finals
Ashraf Mandela delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box, and Mulongo was on hand to tap home in the third minute of the four added minutes, sparking wild celebrations among the Vipers supporters inside Kigali Pele Stadium.
Vipers' Gusto Mulongo celebrates scoring what turned out to be the only goal of the match. (Courtesy Photo/CECAFA)
By: Yekoyada Saaka, Journalist @New Vision
CECAFA Kagame Cup
Gor Mahia 0 Vipers 1
A stoppage-time goal from Congolese forward Gusto Mulongo earned Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC a dramatic 1-0 victory over Kenya’s Gor Mahia, sending them to the top of Group A at the ongoing CECAFA Kagame Cup in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Group A clash, played on Monday at Kigali Pele Stadium, brought together two sides that had made impressive starts to the tournament.
Vipers had beaten Djibouti’s Garde Republicaine 3-0 in their opening match, while Gor Mahia stunned hosts APR FC with a 5-0 victory, making Monday’s encounter a battle for top spot.
Vipers head coach Denis Lavagne made several changes to the team that started against Republicaine, leaving six players who featured in the opening match on the bench.
The decision raised concerns among Vipers fans, especially with Gor Mahia coming into the game full of confidence after their emphatic win over APR.
However, the changes did little to affect Vipers’ performance. The new-look side controlled much of the game and matched Gor Mahia in every department.
Despite creating several attacking moves, Vipers found it difficult to break down a disciplined Gor Mahia defence that kept experienced attackers Farouk Miya, Milton Karisa, Yunus Sentamu and Gusto Mulongo quiet for long periods.
Vipers head coach Denis Lavagne made several changes to the team that started against Republicaine, leaving six players who featured in the opening match on the bench.
The decision raised concerns among Vipers fans, especially with Gor Mahia coming into the game full of confidence after their emphatic win over APR.
However, the changes did little to affect Vipers’ performance. The new-look side controlled much of the game and matched Gor Mahia in every department.
Vipers' Marvin Joseph Youngman vies for possession with a Gor Mahia player during Monday's encounter. CECAFA photo
Despite creating several attacking moves, Vipers found it difficult to break down a disciplined Gor Mahia defence that kept experienced attackers Farouk Miya, Milton Karisa, Yunus Sentamu and Gusto Mulongo quiet for long periods.
With both teams appearing set to share the points, Vipers found the breakthrough deep into stoppage time.
Ashraf Mandela delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box, and Mulongo was on hand to tap home in the third minute of the four added minutes, sparking wild celebrations among the Vipers supporters inside Kigali Pele Stadium.
The late goal handed Gor Mahia their first defeat of the tournament and lifted Vipers to six points from two matches.
The Ugandan champions are now on the brink of reaching the semi-finals and only need to avoid defeat against APR in their final Group A match later this week to seal top spot.
Gor Mahia remain second in the group with three points from two matches. By press time, APR and Garde Republicaine, who both lost their opening matches, were due to face each other at the same venue.
The tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups of four. Only the three group winners and the best second-placed team will qualify for the semi-finals.
Ashraf Mandela delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box, and Mulongo was on hand to tap home in the third minute of the four added minutes, sparking wild celebrations among the Vipers supporters inside Kigali Pele Stadium.
The late goal handed Gor Mahia their first defeat of the tournament and lifted Vipers to six points from two matches.
The Ugandan champions are now on the brink of reaching the semi-finals and only need to avoid defeat against APR in their final Group A match later this week to seal top spot.
Gor Mahia remain second in the group with three points from two matches. By press time, APR and Garde Republicaine, who both lost their opening matches, were due to face each other at the same venue.
The tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups of four. Only the three group winners and the best second-placed team will qualify for the semi-finals.