Vipers eye crucial win as title race enters decisive stage

Uganda Premier League

Results
KCCA 3 Maroons 0
UPPC 2 UPDF 0
Calvary 1 Police 0
Lugazi 0 Mbarara 1

Friday, 4pm
SC Villa v BUL
At 8pm
Vipers v URA

Saturday 
Kitara v NEC

Vipers SC will be looking to strengthen their hold on the Uganda Premier League title race when they host struggling URA FC under the floodlights at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Thursday night.

With just four matches left to play, the Venoms sit top of the table on 59 points, five ahead of second-placed Kitara FC, who have accumulated 54 points.

Victory for Vipers would see them extend their lead to eight points, piling pressure on Kitara ahead of their tricky home clash against an in-form NEC FC tomorrow at Royals Park, Butema in Hoima City.

The Royals face a stern test against NEC, who are currently enjoying an impressive 15-match unbeaten run and have emerged as one of the most consistent sides in the second round of the campaign.

Vipers head into tonight’s contest as overwhelming favourites, especially considering URA’s recent struggles.

The Tax Collectors have endured a difficult spell, suffering a 2-0 home defeat to SC Villa in the first leg of the Stanbic Uganda Cup semi-finals at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo earlier this week.

Their league form has been equally worrying. URA last tasted victory in March when they edged Calvary 1-0 at Nakivubo and have since gone six league matches without a win, registering three defeats and three draws to remain 11th on the table with 25 points.

By contrast, Vipers continue to show consistency in both domestic competitions and remain unbeaten on the pitch, underlining why they are firm favourites to collect maximum points from this encounter.

The Venoms were last in action on Sunday when they secured a goalless draw away to Kitara in the first leg of the Uganda Cup semi-finals in Hoima.

Before that, they played out a 1-1 draw against KCCA FC at the Omondi Stadium, Lugogo where Beyuku Glodi Munsi scored a dramatic equaliser to rescue a point.

A key figure for Vipers this season in the league has been attacking midfielder Abdul Karim Watambala, who has been instrumental in their title push. Watambala has contributed 15 goal involvements this season, scoring 10 times and providing four assists.

The midfielder also boasts a strong record against URA, having netted a brace in the reverse fixture at Nakivubo where Vipers cruised to a 3-0 victory, with Gusto Mulongo adding the third goal.

For URA, head coach Hussein Mbalangu remains under mounting pressure to revive the club’s fortunes.

Having overseen an inconsistent five-month spell in charge, the former NEC and Mbarara City tactician faces growing uncertainty over his future, with his position beyond this season appearing increasingly doubtful.

Earlier in the day, attention will shift to Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, where SC Villa will host BUL FC in an early kick-off.

The Jogoos will be desperate to bounce back in the league after their 2-0 loss away to Kitara effectively ended their title ambitions.

However, Villa regained confidence with Monday’s 2-0 Uganda Cup win over URA and will hope to carry that momentum into the clash against BUL, who have also struggled for consistency in recent weeks.

The fixture was originally scheduled for FUFA Stadium, Kadiba, but was moved to Wankulukuku due to preparations for Uganda’s U-20 Women’s team, the Teen Cranes, who host Ghana in the return leg of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.