Vipers took a significant step toward clinching their seventh Uganda Premier League (UPL) title with a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory over a stubborn UPDF side on Tuesday night at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
Substitute Gusto Wa Ilungo Mulongo was the hero of the night, scoring the solitary goal in the 73rd minute to break UPDF’s spirited resistance.
The win lifts Vipers to 62 points from 26 matches, extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points ahead of second-placed NEC, who still have a game in hand and travel to Mbarara City on Wednesday.
With just four matches left in the campaign, the Kitende-based outfit now needs only seven more points to be crowned champions for the 2024/25 season.
The match began with Vipers dictating play, dominating possession and creating several early chances.
Defender Hilary Mukundane squandered a golden opportunity just five minutes into the game after Milton Karisa headed a Moses Waiswa free-kick into his path, only for the defender to mishit from close range.
UPDF had moments of their own, with their first real attempt coming in the 7th minute through Swaibu Kasujja Kalule, but goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza made a routine save.
he visitors displayed defensive resilience throughout the match, marshaled well by their backline and buoyed by an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Richard Anyama.
Karisa, Okello, and Sentamu all had chances to give the hosts an early lead but were repeatedly denied by Anyama’s heroics, sending that game to halftime at 0-0.
The breakthrough finally came in the 73rd minute. After Anyama failed to hold onto a teasing free-kick from Okello, Mulongo pounced to head home the rebound and send the home crowd into a frenzy.
The goal came just ten minutes after the Congolese striker replaced Yunus Sentamu.
Despite late efforts from Vipers to double their advantage, including missed chances from Karisa and Okello, the single goal proved enough.
Vipers also made late defensive substitutions, bringing on Issa Bugembe and Paul Patrick Mbowa to protect their slim lead.
UPDF, who remain 10th on the table with 33 points, put up a gallant fight and will feel unfortunate not to have taken at least a point from the match.
The result not only puts Vipers in a commanding position in the title race but also maintains their unbeaten home record this season.
They will now turn their attention to Saturday’s Uganda Cup semi-final first leg against Kitara, as they aim for a memorable league and cup double.
