UPL: Perfect home start for Vipers

Abubakar Lawal(L) and Livingstone Mulondo scored for Vipers|Bata Images

FOOTBALL UPL: Perfect home start for Vipers

Allan Damba • 19:36 - 21.09.2023

Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC managed a comfortable 2-0 victory over strugglers Arua Hill SC under the St Mary's Stadium, Kitende floodlights on Thursday.

First-half goals from Livingstone Mulondo and Abubakar Lawal were enough to sink the Leopards at home territory.

The start of the game was witnessed with the presentation of new signing Allan Okello, who joined the team earlier in the day.

The hosts made a blistering start to the game and nearly got into the lead in the sixth minute, but Mohamed Salem head inches wide a Bright Anukani corner.

Three minutes later, Yunus Sentamu was denied by a brilliant save from Richard Anyama, as the scores remained level.

In the 15th minute, Mulondo broke the deadlock with a powerful header off a superb Ashraf Mandela cross.

The guests should have levelled matters in the 24th minute, but Frank Kalanda couldn't entirely strike before a defensive block from Mulondo.

Three minutes after the half-hour mark, the Venoms added a second through a dinked Lawal finish, following sublime work from Sentamu and Anukani.

Arua Hill nearly pulled one back two minutes after the hour mark, but Gadafi Wahab's was met with a brilliant Jack Komakech save.

Seven minutes to the 90, skipper Milton Karisa should have added a third for Vipers, but he failed to connect with the ball as Anyama saved entirely.

Vipers have ascended to the top of the log with six points after two games, while Arua Hill are rock-bottom without a single point.

How both teams lined up

Vipers: Jack Komakech (GK), Ashraf Mandela, Isa Mubiru, Murushid Juuko, Livingstone Mulondo, Patrick Mbowa, Bright Anukani, Abubakar Lawal, Yunus Sentamu, Milton Karisa (c), Mohamed Salem

Substitutions: Fabien Mutombora, Rogers Torach, Martin Kizza, Karim Watambala, Richard Matovu, Rodriguez Shamamba, Abdu Lumala, Marvin Joseph Youngman, Frank Katongole

Arua Hill: Richard Anyama (GK), Gadafi Wahab (c), Nelson Mandela, Ibrahim Musa, Regan Mpande, Musa Ssali, Jafar Kerepi, Frank Kalanda, Denis Andama, John Rogers

Substitutions: Abdullah Rashid, Nathan Oloro, Swadik Moro