The goal also came on his debut in the Stanbic Uganda Cup for the defending champions.
Playmaker Allan Okello netted the winner and his first-ever goal for Vipers SC as they edged Lugazi Stas FC 2-1 in the Round of 64 at the Mehta Stadium, Lugazi, on Monday.
The goal also came on his debut in the Stanbic Uganda Cup for the defending champions.
Skipper Milton Karisa, who netted their last Cup goal as they won it against Police FC last season, scored Vipers' other goal against the resilient Lugazi Stars.
The latter had taken a first-half lead through Saidi Khalifan for an early scare for the Venoms.
11:18 - 29.01.2024
Throwing back to when Magogo purportedly called Desabre overrated
He explained that Desabre found a mature team that had just been at the 2017 AFCON finals and a good show in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, the Vipers struggled with cohesion and creating purposeful goalscoring opportunities in the first half, with their first coming in the 15th minute but was squandered by Abubakar Lawal.
Five minutes to the break, the hosts broke the deadlock through a well-taken shot by Saidi Khalifan.
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The Frenchman said he was “happy for the people who are in difficulty in the Eastern part” of the Democratic Republic of Congo, dedicating the qualification of his team to the Congolese population victims of the war.
The Venoms returned after the break, animated, and levelled matters within a minute through a brilliant Karisa strike.
Nine minutes later, Okello put the guests in the lead with a neat finish after a glorious cross from left back Richard Matovu.
13:10 - 29.01.2024
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Uganda Cranes custodian Salim Jamal has expressed empathy about the lack of significant progress from the members of the U20 team of 2021.
While Lugazi pushed hard for a leveller, Vipers held on to avoid an early upset and net a spot in Round 32.
Elsewhere, Soltilo Bright Stars FC needed a late John Alou Kokas goal to beat Odramachaku FC 1-0 to hit the next round.
FUFA Big League side Lugazi FC suffered a 1-0 defeat to Acholi United to seal their elimination from the Cup.
Results
Lugazi Stars 1-2 Vipers SC
Odramachaku FC 0-1 Soltilo Bright Stars
Acholi United 1-0 Lugazi FC.