Good Friday afternoon at the MTN Omondi Stadium witnessed a tense penalty shootout in the Stanbic Uganda Cup, as Vipers edged NEC 4-3 after a goalless draw.
The match, however, will be remembered as much for Karim Watambala’s retaken penalty as for the Venoms’ victory.
During the shootout, Vipers midfielder Karim Watambala initially converted his spot-kick but committed a double touch in the process.
The referee immediately signaled for the penalty to be retaken.
On his second attempt, Watambala kept it clean, slotting the ball past Hannington Ssebwalunyo and keeping the Venoms on course.
A section of fans were visibly confused, convinced that a double touch should result in the penalty being canceled outright, citing past examples such as Julian Alvarez’s infamous UEFA Champions League miss for Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid.
The Julián Alvarez penalty is chalked due to a double touch 👀👟
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— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 12, 2025
Their confusion is understandable.
Historically, accidental double touches meant a penalty was disallowed and the opportunity lost.
But as of July 1, 2025, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) updated the law.
According to Article 14.1, a penalty taker must not touch the ball again until it has been played by another player.
If the double touch is accidental, the penalty is now retaken, rather than canceled.
This is precisely what happened to Watambala.
Similar instances have already been seen in top European leagues.
For example, Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace inadvertently double touched his penalty against Manchester United.
VAR confirmed the infringement, and Mateta was allowed a retake, which he converted before the visitors staged a comeback.
Leny Yoro makes a costly error and Jean-Philippe Mateta converts it from the penalty spot after two attempts.
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— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 30, 2025
Watambala’s slip may have been accidental, but it served as a valuable reminder to Ugandan football fans about the latest changes in the Laws of the Game.
In the end, Vipers held their nerve to win the shootout 4-3, booking a semifinal clash in the tournament as defending champions.
While the fans’ debate around the penalty was lively, the incident highlighted the ongoing evolution of football rules and the importance of staying up-to-date.
