Vipers captain Allan Okello has attributed his impressive form this season to hard work and his relentless hunger for goals, a trait that has earned him the trust of his coaches.
“I’ve been working so hard. Like you saw today, the coaches put me upfront. I was playing as a forward, and that’s because they know I’m always yearning for the goals,”
He said this after Vipers’ 2-0 victory over KCCA at the MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo, where he scored the decisive second goal in the 30th minute.
The attacking midfielder has been in sensational form this season, scoring 13 goals in 17 matches, which makes him the leading scorer in the Uganda Premier League.
He is the only player to have reached double figures so far, with his closest challenger, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, trailing on nine goals.
Okello’s latest strike not only secured victory over his former club but also propelled Vipers to 40 points, three ahead of NEC in second place.
However, the captain emphasized that team success remains his top priority.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about winning. If I scored and the team didn’t win, it would be useless to me,” he added.
The Venoms have been in formidable form, winning their last five league matches without conceding a goal.
They have beaten KCCA (2-0), URA (2-0), Maroons (1-0), UPDF (1-0), and Mbale Heroes (4-0) since drawing 1-1 against BUL in December.
Okello has been instrumental in this run, scoring five times in the five matches.
Reflecting on the victory over KCCA, Okello revealed that Vipers had analyzed their opponents’ approach and adjusted accordingly.
“We had a different strategy today. We were direct in the midfield because we knew KCCA would play long passes to Gavin [Kizito] in the first half,” he explained.
“We knew that if we pressed them high and they failed to play, we’d get chances—and at the end of the day, we scored two goals.”
Despite his match-winning performance, Okello opted not to celebrate his goal against KCCA, a club that nurtured him from their development side at Kibuli SS before he made his UPL debut in 2017.
“I grew up here. I went through all the systems, so I need to respect them. They gave me everything,” he said.
“I wouldn’t be what I am today if it wasn’t for KCCA. I am so grateful to them.”
However, he made it clear that once on the pitch, his loyalty lies with Vipers.
“On the field of play, it’s about fighting for points. I got a chance, I had to score it, but I have to respect them,” he concluded.
With his form showing no signs of slowing down, Okello’s contributions will be key as Vipers push for yet another league title.
