UPL: SC Villa shock Vipers in Kitende

FOOTBALL    UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE

Vipers SC title ambitions were dealt a huge blow when they lost 1-0 at home to SC Villa at the St. Mary's Stadium in Kitende on Friday.

Vipers paid dearly for their slow start, falling to Bashir Mutanda's second-half strike and found Villa's defense too compact to break even when they increased the tempo.

Mutanda headed in Derrick Ndahiro's delivery off the upright following a counter-attack that Villa relied on, in the whole match.

The sweet win for Villa follows two consecutive losses to URA (2-0) and Busoga United (1-0) in their opening games of the second round.

Vipers' Fahad Bayo (right) was kept at bay by Villa's tight defense.

Vipers only came close to scoring when Paul Mucureezi's shot was cleared off the line by Villa defender Moses Kiggundu towards the end of the first half.

In the second half, Vipers tried to pile pressure but were not clinical enough on the day with Villa goalkeeper Saidi Keni also proving a hard nut to crack in goal.

The introduction of Daniel Sserunkuma in the second half added some life in Vipers attack but Villa's defense stood firm with goalkeeper Keni also applying time-wasting tactics very well.

This was Villa's second victory at Kitende following their 3-1 win last season.

Despite the defeat, Vipers remains top of the league standings on 42 points although their lead was reduced to four points following second-placed KCCA's 1-0 over Tooro United at the StarTimes Stadium.

SC Villa goalkeeper Saidi Keni pulled off great saves.

But despite the win, SC Villa coach Edward Kaziba says he was not impressed with the performance of his lads.

"We didn't play to our potential because the boys were nervous but I believe we shall improve in the next games. It was a good win given the fact we had lost the first two games in the second round" stated Kaziba.                                                       

"The players followed our instructions to the latter and Vipers didn't threaten us. The victory is a sign that we are bouncing back to our winning ways," he added.                

At one point tempers flared.

   
At Lugogo, youngster Sunday Opio scored the only goal as KCCA returned to winning ways following their 2-1 loss to Bright Stars on Tuesday.

In the other match played at the same venue, Police needed a late Herman Wasswa penalty to defeat Kyetume1-0.

SC Villa coach Kaziba will be looking to even better performances from his boys.