Purple Sharks dare fangless Vipers

Wakiso Giants captain Hassan Ssenyonjo in action against Vipers last season /COURTESY PICTURE

SUPL Purple Sharks dare fangless Vipers

Shafic Kiyaga 19:49 - 20.02.2023

The two sides shared spoils in a one-all draw when they met in the first round at the Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium, with defender Hillary Mukundane finding the equalizer after Ibrahim Kasule had given the hosts the lead.

Vipers SC will look to bounce back from their recent barren run when they host Wakiso Giants at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League on Tuesday.

The Venoms have failed to score in any of their past five matches across three competitions, including the league, Champions League, and the Uganda Cup.

The Venoms come into the game on the back of a goalless draw against Guinea outfit Horoya Athletic Club in the CAF Champions League last Saturday.

The third-placed Vipers will be eager to secure a win to remain in contention for the title, as they sit four points behind current league leaders KCCA FC.

Vipers captain, Milton Karisa, is optimistic that his side can turn things around but has called on his teammates to stay focused.

“It is a very important match because we come off two weeks with two very demanding games with no goals scored,” said Karisa.

“Tomorrow will be no exception. It will be a difficult game, against opponents who always perform at a very high level - and showed it in the first round.”

Karisa noted that the team is aware of the importance of the game, as they strive to keep their title defence alive.

“We are prepared to face it, knowing that we have to start the game well because Wakiso Giants distribute the ball well, and we must be very focused before Saturday’s game against Tanzania’s Simba SC in the Champions League,” he narrated.

Vipers are currently third on the league table with 27 points in 14 matches, and a win against Wakiso Giants will put them within one point of league leaders, KCCA FC, who have 31 points.

On the other hand, Wakiso Giants come into the game in fourth position on 25 points and will be looking to quickly forget their 1-0 home defeat to KCCA in their last game.

Wakiso Giants are currently fourth in the league with 25 points and will be looking to put their impressive season back on track following a 1-0 home defeat to KCCA.

Paul Willa, who joined Wakiso in January, will be making a quick return to face his former club, and he is looking forward to the reunion.

“It’s an exciting moment for me to face my former bosses,” said Willa. “As players, we are ready to put up a good performance and will give it our all especially after losing the last game.”

The two sides shared spoils in a one-all draw when they met in the first round at the Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium, with defender Hillary Mukundane finding the equalizer after Ibrahim Kasule had given the hosts the lead.

In their seven previous top-flight meetings, four have ended in stalemates. The Venoms had won the other three, including a 5-0 win at Kitende in October 2021, while the Purple Sharks were yet to master victory in the fixture.

Vipers SC will be without midfielder Olivier Osomba, who suffered a knock on his hip in their last game against Horoya AC.

The game comes too soon for Marvin Joseph Youngman, who suffered a setback in his rehabilitation process and could be out for months while Abdu Lumala returned to training but is a doubt for the game.

The Purple Sharks also have their own injury concerns, with Titus Ssematimba, Ronald Madoi, and Apollo Kagogwe still away on national duty with the Uganda U20 at the AFCON.

Moses Aliro, Frank Ssebuufu, and Shariph Kimbowa all missed the outing at Blacks Power and remained doubtful for the Kitende encounter.