Vipers SC ended Mbarara City’s impressive 16-match unbeaten home run with a decisive 3-1 victory at Kakyeka Stadium, thanks to a brace of penalties by Allan Okello and a goal from Yunus Sentamu.
The victory over Mbarara City extends the Venoms’ impressive run under coach John Ayala Luyinda, marking their fourth consecutive win since he took over from Nikola Kavazovic.
Okello opened the scoring in added time of the first half, coolly converting a penalty by sending goalkeeper Abdul Kimera the wrong way.
The midfielder then netted another spot kick seven minutes after the break, placing it in the same corner to give Vipers a two-goal cushion.
Mbarara City briefly fought back when Latif Ssenkubuge scored with a well-timed header in the 56th minute, but Sentamu dashed the Ankole Lions’ hopes of a comeback by scoring in the 70th minute, securing Vipers’ fourth consecutive victory.
The Venoms’ win snapped Mbarara City’s home unbeaten streak, which had persisted since their last defeat to NEC on September 15, 2023.
Okello’s double also marked his third consecutive game on the scoresheet, elevating him to joint top of the league’s scoring charts with five goals.
With 16 points, Vipers now sit at the top of the UPL table, with a one-point lead over NEC and a two-point advantage over KCCA, who have each played one game less.
Their next fixture will be a clash against the Kasasiro Boys on November 9 at Kitende, promising a thrilling contest at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Mbarara City dropped to fifth place due to an inferior goal difference, despite being level on nine points with UPDF, who they will face next on November 6.
