Uganda Premier League
Vipers 1-0 Kirinya Jinja SS
Vipers earned a hard fought win against struggling side Kirinya Jinja SS to close gap on league leaders, KCCA FC.
Tony Odur scored the lone goal in the first half to see off a resilient Kirinya Jinja SS team on Tuesday evening at Nakivubo.
The decisive moment came five minutes after kickoff when Odur connected to Aggrey Madoi’s cross to tap home past the visitor’s goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa.
Vipers continued to dominate proceedings and Musa Esenu came close to doubling the score three minutes later but his effort was parried away by the goalkeeper.
Vipers’ skipper Nicholas Wadada tries to stop a Jinja SS player
Alex Isabirye, the Kirinya head coach called for an early change introducing Franco Onen for Geoffrey Akol at the hour mark.
Onen almost scored from his first touch but his shot sailed above Watenga’s goal and Vipers returned to the tunnel with a goal cushion.
After interval, the hosts returned recharged and dominated proceedings with Otim James, Ibrahim Kazindula and Anthony Mayanja testing Ismael Watenga but he stood the ground to keep them at bay.
Watenga denied Johnson Wakalaita with a double save after the forward beat Deus Bukenya to take a hard shot on the first attempt. Watenga recollected from the ground to again block a goal bound effort from Anthony Mayanja to help Vipers take maximum points.
Alex Isabirye confessed his team is short of maturity and lacks cutting edge.
“I believe we have been playing better even in the games we have lost, but our team lacks a bit of maturity and the cutting edge in the final third because we created several chances but couldn’t utilise any,” he said.
Erisa Sekisambu tries to go past Jinja SS defender
The result means Vipers move on the same points as table leaders KCCA(19 points) while Kirinya remain 13th on the logo with 7 points.
Vipers starting XI
Ismael Watenga, Nicholas Wadada, Aggrey Madoi, Deus Bukenya, Halid Lwaliwa, Hassan Wasswa, Keziron Kizito, Brian Kakaire, Musa Esenu, Tony Odur, Erisa Ssekisambu
Kirinya Jinja SS
Mutakubwa Joel, Debbo Julius, Allan Drajuwa, Mike Kawooya, Livingston Mulondo, George Kasonko, Joel Mudondo, Akol Godfrey, Johnson Wakalaita, Anthony Mayanja, Otim James