Vipers SC claimed a gritty 1-0 victory over UPDF FC on Friday at the Bombo Military Grounds, solidifying their position atop the Uganda Premier League (UPL) table with 31 points.
Allan Okello delivered the decisive moment in the first half, scoring his 11th goal of the season under heavy rain, to edge the determined UPDF side.
The result leaves Vipers four points clear of NEC FC, who face Mbarara City FC on Saturday.
The match, played in tough weather conditions, saw Vipers dominate possession early on. Okello broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a rebound after UPDF’s defense failed to clear their lines.
UPDF nearly equalized seven minutes later when Fredrick Mugisha’s free-kick was brilliantly saved by Vipers’ goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza. The Venoms had a chance to double their lead just after the half-hour mark, but skipper Milton Karisa’s header struck the woodwork following a well-taken free-kick by Moses Waiswa.
In the 76th minute, Vipers were reduced to 10 men when Derrick Ndahiro received a straight red card for a high boot on UPDF’s Samuel Kayongo Ssekamatte. Despite the numerical disadvantage, substitute Abubakar Lawal came close to adding a second goal but missed the target.
The hard-fought win ensures Vipers maintain their lead in the title race ahead of their next match against Maroons FC on Monday under the floodlights at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
