Vipers SC tightened their grip on the Uganda Premier League title race with a 2-0 victory over URA at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, marking a perfect start to the second round.
Second-half goals from Allan Okello and Enock Luyima sealed all three points for the league leaders, who now sit four points clear at the summit with 37 points.
The game saw Vipers dominate from the start, pressing URA into making defensive errors.
New signing Isaac Ogwang, who was handed his debut, led the attack but was forced off due to injury just before halftime, making way for Kenneth Kimera.
After a goalless first half, Okello finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute from the penalty spot.
This is after Kimera was brought down in the box after a quick exchange of passes involving Yunus Sentamu and Karim Watambala.
Okello stepped up and calmly slotted home, netting his 12th goal of the season and further solidifying his status as the league’s top scorer.
Vipers continued to press, and in the 75th minute, Luyima doubled the lead with a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box.
The young left-back latched onto a lay-off from Kimera and unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner, leaving URA goalkeeper Rogers Omedwa helpless.
Despite their defensive resilience, URA struggled in attack, rarely troubling the Vipers’ backline.
Omedwa was their standout performer, pulling off crucial saves to deny Okello, Watambala, and Kimera, but his efforts were not enough to salvage a result.
The win cements Vipers’ position as early front-runners in the second round, while URA, who sit in fifth place with 24 points, will look to regroup in their next fixture against Maroons on Saturday.
Vipers will now turn their attention to a blockbuster clash against KCCA at Lugogo on Sunday, a match that could further define the title race.
