KCCA FC finally picked up their first win of the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League season after defeating rivals Vipers SC 3-1 at MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo on Friday.
The Lugogo side had gone six games without a win before the match, but they managed to bounce back and secure a vital victory.
Muhammad Shaban gave KCCA the lead in the 5th minute with a header from Haruna Lukwago‘s cross. The home side maintained their control of the game until the end of the first half.
In the second half, KCCA doubled their lead in controversial fashion in the 58th minute. Shaban’s shot from a tight angle appeared to be saved by Vipers goalkeeper Jack Komakech, but the linesman Timothy Gumisiriza ruled that the ball had crossed the line.
In the added minutes of the game, Usama Arafat made it 3-0 for KCCA with a counter-attacking goal after good work from substitutes Etienne Katenga and Emmanuel Loki.
Abubaker Lawal grabbed a consolation goal for Vipers in the dying seconds of the game, but it was too late to prevent KCCA from taking all three points.
KCCA FC interim coach Jackson Magera praised his players for their performance.
“They executed our game plan very well,” he said. “We came with a plan of not allowing Vipers to play and indeed we achieved it. This was a good fight for the players. The victory is going to motivate the team.”
Vipers coach Leonard Neiva admitted that his team did not do enough to win the game.
“We had a number of chances that we failed to convert,” he said. “Our opponents played a good game. We tried to change different formations but they managed to handle each of them. We shall try to rectify our mistakes.”
Despite the defeat, Vipers remained third in the UPL table with 14 points, while KCCA moved to 14th position with four points.
In other matches, Brian Aheebwa scored a late goal to earn Kitara FC a 2-2 draw with URA FC in Lugazi, while Soltilo Bright Stars defeated Busoga United 3-2.
Courtesy Photos
