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Ronald Ssekiganda netted a late equalizer as Villa shared spoils with Vipers in the first leg of their quarterfinal match at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Tuesday evening.
Ssekiganda’s strike came in the added minutes of the second half to cancel out Lawrence Tezikya’s header.
Vipers SC was the better side in the opening half as the Jogoos sat back. However, the hosts did not create more as expected especially in the first half.
The two realistic goalscoring chances for Vipers fell to forward Cesar Manzoki but Martin Ssenkooto was brilliant on both occasions, parrying away the ball for two corner kicks.
After a cagey opening half, the second half bought a less more lively start, but still, both sides struggled to move the ball forward effectively.
It was not until the 58th minute when we witnessed the first shot on target in the second half but Ssenkooto exceptionally saved Karim Watambala’s effort.
At the hour mark, Vipers head coach Fred Kajoba made a double substitution, bringing on Lawrence Tezikya and Milton Karisa for Cesar Manzoki and Ibrahim Orit with the hope that the pair could ignite his side’s progression upfront.
Paul Mucureezi also came on for Watambala five minutes afterwards and moments after, he had an opportunity to put his side ahead but his free-kick from just outside the area was easily saved by Ssenkooto.
But the Joggos goalkeeper couldn’t save Tezikya’s header in the 79-minute as the youngster headed in a brilliant Bobosi Byaruhanga cross to give the Venoms a well-deserved lead.
In the added minutes of the game, there was hope for Villa as Ronald Ssekiganda, who had a poor game prior to that moment, brought Villa level as he rose highest to head in a Francis Olaki’s cross past Bashir Sekagya.
In a stalemate, it ended for the two sides who will be meeting for the second leg in Bombo on Saturday.
