Vipers edge KCCA to maintain perfect start in Uganda Premier League

StarTimes Uganda Premier 
Results 
Vipers 1 KCCA 0
Calvary 2 UPPC Entebbe 4
SC Villa 1 Kitara 0
Saturday 
Lugazi v Buhimba, 4pm 
NEC v BUL, 8pm

Vipers SC continued their flawless start to the 2025/26 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season with a gritty 1–0 win over arch-rivals KCCA FC under the floodlights of St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Friday night.

Allan Okello’s 32nd-minute strike proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter, handing the defending champions their second win in as many matches.

The game kicked off at a brisk pace, with Vipers showing early intent. In the fifth minute, KCCA goalkeeper Charles Lukwago nearly gifted the hosts a goal after fumbling Enock Ssebaggala’s tame shot. From the resulting corner, Abdulkarim Watambala delivered a teasing cross, but no Vipers player was able to convert.

Marvin Youngman tested Lukwago from distance in the seventh minute, while Ssebaggala missed a golden opportunity two minutes later after being set up by Arafat Usama.

Vipers continued to press, with Okello’s free kick in the 15th minute finding Kevin Dyslyva, whose header drifted wide. Moments later, Yunus Sentamu attempted a cheeky lob over Lukwago, narrowly missing the target.

The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute. Sentamu beat his marker and whipped in a cross that Lukwago failed to handle, parrying it into Okello’s path. The midfielder made no mistake, slotting into an empty net to give Vipers a deserved lead.

The hosts controlled the remainder of the first half, with Youngman, Watambala, and Ssebaggala dictating play in midfield.

KCCA players after the match

KCCA returned stronger after the break, pressing higher and earning their first corner in the 58th minute. Coach Jackson Magera introduced Ashraf Mugume, Emmanuel Anyama, and Alex Yiga to inject fresh energy, while Vipers responded with Milton Karisa, Odili Chukwuma, and Moses Waiswa.

Okello nearly doubled his tally in the 66th minute, but his low shot lacked the power to trouble Lukwago. Karisa also came close in the 85th minute, narrowly missing from close range.

KCCA’s best chance came in the 87th minute when Anyama connected with Herbert Achai’s cross, but goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza produced a fine save to preserve Vipers’ lead.

Despite KCCA’s improved second-half performance, Vipers held firm to secure all three points, handing the visitors their first defeat of the season.

Post-Match Reactions

Vipers head coach Ivan Minnaert praised the win but expressed concern over his team’s second-half drop in intensity.

“The way we ended the first half should have been how we played throughout,” Minnaert said. “Games against KCCA are easy to prepare for because the players are always motivated.”

KCCA’s Jackson Magera attributed the loss to a sluggish start and defensive lapses.

“We were better in the second half, but the first half lacked composure and discipline,” he noted. “Credit to Vipers—they dominated aerial duels and caused confusion. But the league is a marathon; we’ll regroup and come back stronger.”