Vipers SC maintained their pursuit of Uganda Premier League leaders KCCA FC after edging Lugazi FC 2–1 on Wednesday night, headlining an eventful Matchday 11 midweek programme.
At Najjembe’s Lugazi Stadium, the defending champions showed their experience, doing just enough to secure maximum points.
Early and late goals from Usama Arafat and Yunus Sentamu proved decisive as the Venoms tightened their grip near the summit.
Vipers struck almost immediately. Just seven minutes in, Enock Luyima delivered a teasing cross that Milton Karisa met with a firm header.
Goalkeeper Juma Mutebi failed to hold on, allowing Arafat to pounce and poke home the opener from close range.
The Kitende-based side continued to dictate proceedings, with Chukwuma Odili squandering a golden opportunity to double the advantage after an intricate exchange involving Karisa and Karim Watambala.
Lugazi threatened briefly before the interval, but goalkeeper Alfred Mundekereza stood firm, comfortably dealing with Ashiraf Mulindi’s set-piece effort to preserve Vipers’ slender halftime lead.
After the restart, patience remained the order of the day for the visitors. Odili tested Mutebi early in the second half before the game was settled in the 74th minute.
A precise long ball from Robin Kane Hney split the defence, releasing Sentamu, who delicately lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper to make it 2–0.
Lugazi managed a late response through Mulindi in the dying moments, briefly raising hopes of a comeback, but it was too little, too late.
The victory lifts Vipers to second place on 24 points, just two adrift of leaders KCCA FC. Lugazi remain 14th, hovering above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Elsewhere, Express FC endured a torrid afternoon as Maroons FC dismantled them 4–0 at the Luzira Prison Grounds. Missing leading scorer Muhammed Ssenoga Kagawa, the Red Eagles were ruthlessly punished.
Raymond Walugembe broke the deadlock before Emmanuel Obua struck twice to hand Maroons a commanding halftime lead.
Brian Nkuubi added the finishing touch late on to complete a dominant performance. Maroons sit seventh with 15 points, while Express drop to eighth on 12.
URA FC’s woes continued at Rwamanja as they fell 1–0 to Mbarara City. Henry Kitegenyi converted a penalty on the hour mark to secure all three points for the Ankole Lions, who climb to 13th on 10 points. URA remain 10th, with pressure steadily mounting.
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