Deus Bukenya scored a 78th minute spectacular goal from about 25 yards for Vipers to seal a 2-1 victory over SCVU and stay joint top with KCCA on 10 points apiece after four matches.
Farouk Miya, netting his third goal in the Azam Uganda Premier League (UPL) this campaign, had opened the scoring when he beautifully curled in a 14th minute freekick past SCVU’s Joseph Sebuliba at Namboole last evening.
SCVU equalized on the stroke of half time, their dangerman Farouk Kawooya – who gave Vipers’ defence of Nicholas Wadada, Shafik Bakaki and company a great deal of work to do, crossing from the right and Petit Wanock connecting home past Ismail Watenga.
Both sides went for it in the second half, Kawooya dazzling into the penalty area but saw his rasping shot deflected out by Dan Bilikwalira. Keziron Kizito also came close, beating four SCVU players only for Sebuliba to thwart him.
But there was no stopping Bukenya, who – after SCVU failed to clear out of danger – found an inviting ball outside the area to dispatch it into the goalkeeper’s top right corner for a winner.
At Nakivubo, where a minute of silence in remembrance of the fallen former Internal Affairs Minister Gen Aronda Nyakairima was observed, KCCA could even afford to miss a late penalty through Muzamir Mutyaba after Shaban Kondo was fouled and still win. Simba, pedestrians most of the evening, had taken a first half lead through Patrick Owor.
KCCA hit back through a scrambled goal by Mutyaba.
Tom Masiko ensured KCCA took all three points when he headed into an empty net after good hold-up play by Kondo had allowed Joseph Ochaya through to cross.
At Wankulukuku, a Peter Lwesibawa controversial penalty after Umar Kasumba tumbled under minimal contact from Ayub Kisalita, earned Villa their second win as they beat Lweza 1-0.
Caesar Okhuti’s fourth goal of the season could not help Express past Bright Stars in the 1-1 draw in Matugga.
Additional reporting by Monitor