Review: KCCA FC ends Vipers’ unbeaten run – the champs still a distance from the leaders

Midfielder Muzamir Mutyaba’s first-half goal was enough for KCCA FC to end vipers unbeaten run in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League season which had spanned to 13 games.

The game started with KCCA FC pressing Vipers from the high-line pushing them back into their defensive third, and by the 5th minute, the hosts had already taken 2 corners in succession.

By the 8th minute, the visitors were already enduring a tough spell that had them pushed into blocking and making clearances. A free-kick by Mustafa Kizza and Muzamir Mutyaba had been sent above the crossbar while the visitors had made only two unsuccessful attacks by the 20th minute.

Jackson Nunda shields Vipers Siraje Ssentamu off the ball during their league game at the StarTimes Stadium Lugogo | KCCA FC Media

Muzamir Mutyaba missed a grand opportunity to put the home side ahead when he found himself unmarked in the vipers’ penalty area, but a poor first touch had him clattering the ball out of play for a goal kick.

A few moments later, flying Left-back Mustafa Kizza tested Vipers no. 1, Fabian Mutombora with a sublime 30-yard shot but the Burundian was up to the task.

After fambles by Mustafa Kizza and Muzamir Mutyaba by the 26th minute of the game, it was Erisa Ssekisambu’s moment when the former Vipers’ forward started making a mess of Aziz Kayondo – soon he dazzled the rookie-left-back, leaving him on the ground, beat Siraje Sentamu before sending in a low cross that Nunda noded at goal, however, Mutombora was right on time to make a save.

Sekisambu continued to trouble Vipers’ defense and it was in the 32nd minute when the pacy winger powered past youngster Kayondo to set-up Muzamir Mutyaba, who shot straight at goal off a zero-touch play by Filbert Obenchan to beat Mutombora to give KCCA FC the lead.

Muzamir Mutyaba scored the home side’s goal in the first half to hand Vipers Sc their first defeat of the season in 14 games | KCCA FC Media

Vipers tried to rally back in response when Brian Nkuubi was set-up by Dan ‘Mzee’ Sserunkuma in the 34th minute, but his effort went a few meters wide.

Ssekisambu missed a moment before the end of the first half when he failed to convert Kizza Mustafa’s cross in the 45th minute and the game was sent into recess with the score at 1-0.

Vipers returned a more organized side and as opposed to the first half, the venoms were ready to strike, committing forward this time and pressing KCCA FC into their defensive third.

It wasn’t so long before Rahmat Ssenfuka tried from a distance in the 50th minute but his effort went slightly above the crossbar to get Jamal Malyamungu fuming at how his defense could let that shot through.

KCCA FC had an effort from Jackson Nunda missed when the midfielder found himself in the Vipers’ goal area and tried to go for glory instead of passing to the flocking yellow shirts that were in a better position to double the lead in the 78th minute.

Vipers missed an opportunity to level matters when the free-kick resulting from a foul on Dan Sserunkuma was passed out of play for a goal kick.

Vipers had another goal-scoring moment in the 87th minute when substitute Allan Kayiwa’s low driven strike was saved by the largely untested KCCA Jamil Malyamungu.

Erisa Ssekisambu missed yet another chance to extend the home side’s lead a few moments later in the 89th when he was set-up by Steven Sserwada off a redirected headed ball and all his left foot shot could do was send the ball into the crowd.

There was a moment that had the home side’s first-team coach, Badru Kaddu cautioned following a verbal exchange with referee Brian Nsubuga, but we were unable to figure out what brought about the incident.

The case of the former players

The game had 5 players going against their former employers with Erisa Ssekisambu, Mike Mutyaba and Keziron Kizito now plying their trade with KCCA FC while the Vipers had Paul Willa and Tito Okello going against the Kassasiro boys.

Erisa Ssekisambu led takes on Aziz Kayondo in their League game at the Startimes Stadium, Lugogo | KCCA FC Media

Erisa Ssekisambu left Vipers in the 2017/18 season for Kenya’s Gor Mahia before returning at the start of this season to join the Lugogo based side, and the same goes for Keziron Kizito who returned from India. Sulaiman Mike Mutyaba, returned from retirement to pen a deal with the defending champions.

Tito Okello left KCCA FC under unclear circumstances for a deal in China in 2017 but the deal did not last long and soon returned to Uganda, only to join KCCA FC’s arch-rivals Vipers.

Paul Willa left KCCA FC to join Police FC before attracting the attention of Vipers SC at the start of the season | KCCA FC Media

Paul Willa was denied an opportunity to play for the senior team on the list of youngsters who were promoted from KCCA FC’s junior side that includes Allan Okello, Julius Poloto, Mustafa Kizza, Lawrence Bukenya among other. He joined Police FC in the process before picking the interest of Vipers. he joined the Venoms at the start of this season.

KCCA FC still far from breaking Vipers’ season

KCCA FC subjected Vipers to their first defeat of the 2019/20 season, claiming the 6th win against their biggest rivals of the past 5-years. The Venoms still hold a 3 game lead in the head to head with 9 wins out of the 20 meetings so far.

Vipers beat KCCA FC at the start of the new season in the FUFA Super 8 final which brings the two meetings this season so far to a 1-1.

Despite the loss, Vipers SC remains top of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League standings with 33 points in the 14 games played while the KCCA FC stay put in 5th with 22 points in 10 games.

In the other game played, Proline FC held BUL FC to a goalless draw earning their 5th point of the season.

Express FC beat Tooro United 2-1 in Fort Portal while Wakiso Giants were held to a 2-all draw away at Maroons FC.

The StarTimes Uganda Premier League returns on Monday with a live game on Sanyuka TV between Onduparaka and SC Villa at the Greenlight Stadium in Arua.

Lineups:
KCCA FC:
Malyamungu, Obechan, Kizza, Kato, Revita, Gift, Keizron(Achai), Muzamir(Sserwadda), Nnuda, Erisa, Mike(Odemegwu).