PHOTO/Nicholas Bamulanzeki
Kampala Capital City Authority’s lead at the top of the Azam Uganda Premier League now stands at only zero points – superior goal difference and the title race is wide open again after they were well beaten on Tuesday.
The leaders were beaten 2-1 by a resurgent Vipers SC at the Philip Omondi Stadium, Lugogo. The two sides had of recent dipped in form with KCCA winning just once in the previous five games while Vipers have won once in five in all competitions.
Vipers’ Portuguese Coach Jorge Miguel Duarte Da Costa, was not to be denied this time as Tony Odur, paired with Pius Wanji up front while a jaded Mike Sserumaga was rested, finished coolly to equalized after sixty four minutes after a defensive error by Timothy Awany. In the 71st minute, Geoffrey Wasswa doubled the lead again after another defensive blunder.
It is no exaggeration to say this might be Da Costa’s finest piece of management since he stepped foot in Kampala almost three months ago.
From that, it was genuinely the type of win that should be a juncture moment for Vipers, and give them a new belief.
With the way both teams were playing, and how completely commanding Vipers were in virtually all areas, that really was the winning it.
It was that comprehensive and commanding a win.
KCCA’s playmaker Muzamiru Mutyaba seemed to be struggling with an injured shoulder, reason he was been limited all second half, but KCCA can offer no excuses here as they were second best throughout.
Rivals SC Villa now trail because Mike Mutebi’s have the superior goal difference and two games-in-hand.
KCCA looked to be strolling to the title just a few weeks ago — but a sudden stumble, including the home draw by former champions URA and then SC Vill in Masaka, has held them back. And an irresistible surge from Villa have brought renewed edge to the run-in. Mutebi will feel his side did not enjoy the best of luck today, with left back Isaac Muleme hits the crossbar with a thunderous strike in the 50th minute that could have extended the hosts’ lead after Geoffrey Serunkuuma striked on 16 minutes from 12 yards gives early in the game.
It is no exaggeration to say that the title race is now properly on. What’s more, and what was most remarkable, was that it is Vipers who become the first team to pick maximum points from Lugogo.
KCCA have to get back on track, but their next opponents? An Express who so evidently believe in themselves, and will now have new belief about embarrassing their eternal Kampala rivals through defeat. That comes at Wankulukuku on Friday and could genuinely be one of those juncture games in the title race given the context around it.
