Vipers SC and BUL FC hit their second consecutive Uganda Cup final after a series of respective, but also impressive results at the different stages.
But, how far have the two come to make the 2022 edition of the coveted Cup final and oldest football tournament in the land?
Vipers’s road to the final
The venoms got their title defense off by narrowly edging Kigezi HomeBoys FC 1-0 in the Round of 64, thanks to Yunus Sentamu’s sole goal.
In the Round of 32, Roberto Oliveira’s charges ejected Kalongo United 3-1 through goals from Milton Karisa, Najib Yiga, and Sentamu while, Bosco Okot netted the consolation for the hosts.
Kataka FC was their next opponent in the Round of 16 and; Paul Mucureezi, Allan Kayiwa and Sentamu eased the job in a 3-0 victory at Kitende.
The Kitende-based outfit saw off Wakiso Giants in the quarter-finals 3-1 thanks to a brace from Sentamu and another by Bobosi Byaruhanga, while the hosts’ consolation was scored by Sam Ssenyonjo.
And in the semi-finals, the holders of the Uganda Cup were drawn against Mbarara City FC for the two-legged tie in which they won 6-1 on aggregate.
At Kakyeeka stadium, Vipers edged Mbarara 2-1 courtesy of Mucureezi and Karisa while Seiri Arigumaho scored the latter’s goal.
When Mbarara visited Kitende for the second leg on Tuesday, earlier this week, they were thrashed 4-0, thanks to goals from Sentamu, Karisa, Byaruhanga, and an own goal from Ronald Otti, booking a date with Bul FC.
BUL’s road to the final
On the other hand, Bul FC were given a clear path in the Round of 64 given that their would-be opponents, Bundimasoli United FC failed to turn up for the game.
Alex Isabirye’s side was then drawn against their regional rivals Busoga United in the Round of 32, who they beat 3-0 through Karim Ndugwa’s brace and another from Walter Ochora.
In the Round of 16, the Jinja-based side dumped out Soltilo Bright Stars FC 4-3 in the penalty shootouts, following a 2-2 draw in normal time.
Ndugwa scored both goals for BUL before the spot-kicks while the Mwerere netted through Joseph Janjali and Nelson Senkatuka.
BUL was drawn against nine-time winners SC Villa in the quarterfinals, a side they defeated 2-1 after extra time through Ndugwa and Ibrahim Nsimbe, while Villa’s goal was scored by Saddam Masereka.
In the semi-finals, BUL faced Booma FC and knocked them out 6-1 on aggregate. The former won the first and second legs 5-1 and 1-0 respectively.
Both Simon Peter Oketch and Ibrahim Kazindula bagged a brace while another goal was scored by Ndugwa from the spot in the first leg while the only goal of the second leg was scored by Ndugwa.
Vipers have scored 16 goals and conceded thrice on their way to the final whereas BUL have netted 13 times and let in four.
BUL’s Ndugwa and Vipers’ Sentamu are still tightly vying for the golden boot with the former on seven goals while the latter has six.
The final will be played at Masindi Municipal Stadium on 12th of June 2022.
Courtesy Photos
