All roads led to the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende as the Uganda Premier League Champions Vipers SC host heavy weights SC Villa for the semi-final second leg of the Stanbic Uganda Cup.
The Venoms edged a spirited Villa side to a close 1-0 win on Tuesday evening to book a place in the final where they will face-off with rivals KCCA at the Emokori Stadium in Bukedea on Saturday 09th June 2018.
Before kick-off, there was chaos when Vipers security first denied the Villa bus access to the stadium for close to an hour demanding to check the team bus. Villa players refused to accept their demands and were only allowed to enter the stadium with 40 minutes left to kick off.
After a slow 0-0 first half draw, the vipers slowly gained momentum and got back into the game. The main talking point came in the 69th minute when the referee gave a controversial free kick after Milton Kariisa was brought down near the 18-yard box.
Referee Emma Kiweewa was pulled and pushed by the bitter Villa players after awarding the free kick but he kept his calm and didn’t caution any players for the act.
The Vipers used the resulting life line and thanks to Nkuubi’s brilliant free kick, the Kitende based side took the lead with 21 minutes of play left on the clock.
Jogoo’s Allan Kyambadde had the chance to level the score in the 79th minute from another close free kick but, his neat effort sailed over the bar.
Vipers held on to the lead and progressed on 1-0 aggregate score which means they still have a chance to win a double if they beat KCCA. The result also means second placed KCCA will represent Uganda in the Confederations Cup despite the result from the final.
Line ups.
Vipers SC starting XI:
Ismail Wtenga (GK), Moses Waisswa, Erisa Sekisambu, Dan Serunkuma, Nicolas Wadada (Capt), Duncan Seninde, Halid Lwaliwa, Bashir Asiku, Yayo Lutimba, Geofrey Wasswa, Milton Karisa.
SUBS:
James Alitho (GK), Tom Masiko, Pius Wangi, Steven Mukwala, Frank Tumwesigye, Brian Nkuubi, Mbayi Clovis.
SC Villa Starting XI:
Samuel Kivumbi, Joseph Nsubuga, Arthur Kigundu, Isa Lumu, Henry Katongole, Etrude Abel, Bernard Muwanga, (Capt) Mahad Yaya, Martin Kizza, Allan Kyambadde, Adriko John.
SUBS:
Ambrose Kirya, Vitalis Tabu, Yubu Bogere, Yusufu Wasswa, Alex Semuyaba, Musa Mukasa, George Senkaaba.
Featured Images from FUFA Media
