Uganda Premier League | Thursday | MD 25
- Express 2-2 UPDF
- Maroons 0-1 Vipers
It was a tale of two games in the Uganda Premier League on Thursday as Express FC staged a spirited comeback in a thrilling 2-2 draw with UPDF while Vipers SC edged closer to the league title with a gritty 1-0 victory over Maroons in Luzira.
- Red Eagles rise from the ashes
At Nakivubo Stadium, Express FC delivered a stirring second-half fightback to rescue a point in a match that saw UPDF FC threaten a historic first-ever away win over the Red Eagles.
The visitors looked on course for a famous victory after Joseph Janjali struck in the 34th minute before Samuel Ssekamatte added a second just two minutes later with his seventh goal of the season.
UPDF’s dominance had Express reeling at halftime and the military side seemed set to end a seven-game winless streak against the Red Eagles.
But Express, unwilling to fall without a fight, returned from the break with renewed purpose.
Samuel Ssenyonjo pulled one back in the 60th minute, coolly finishing off a brilliant layoff from Geoffrey Gagganga.
As time ticked down, the home fans roared their team forward and with five minutes left on the clock, Gagganga completed the turnaround, heading in from a Hakim Wandera corner.
Though both sides finished level on 33 points, the emotional shift was clear, Express left with momentum while UPDF were left wondering what might have been.
- Okello’s penalty pushes Vipers closer to glory
Earlier in Luzira, Vipers SC edged past Maroons 1-0 thanks to a coolly taken penalty by star forward Allan Okello who notched his 17th goal of the season.
The win moves Vipers to 59 points, now eight ahead of second-placed NEC who play on Friday.
In a tense affair, Vipers had the better chances with Okello and Hillary Mukundane testing the Maroons keeper in the opening half.
The breakthrough came shortly after the interval when Edward Kabona was judged to have handled the ball inside the area. Okello stepped up and converted with authority, sealing a crucial win for the Venoms.
Maroons came close to levelling in the dying moments when Norman Odopio’s strike rattled the crossbar but Vipers held on to secure all three points.
With the title race nearing its climax, Vipers are inching toward a domestic double, having already booked their place in the Uganda Cup semi-finals. They now gear up for a Tuesday showdown against UPDF at Kitende.
Uganda Premier League action will continue tomorrow (Friday, April 25) with the following games;
- Lugazi vs Soltilo Bright Stars – Najjembe | 4 PM
- Police vs URA – Kavumba 4 PM
- NEC vs Mbale Heroes – Lugogo 7 PM
