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- Express 2-2 Vipers
- Lugazi 2-2 UPDF
The Uganda Premier League title race took a dramatic turn on Friday evening, as Vipers SC faltered in their pursuit of the championship, while UPDF FC held Lugazi FC to a spirited 2-2 draw in another action-packed encounter.
- Vipers SC Stumble as Express FC Defy Odds
At the heart of the drama was Vipers SC’s 2-2 draw against Express FC at the refurbished Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo. The Venoms, who came into the match needing a win to restore a four-point lead at the summit following NEC FC’s narrow victory over Kitara FC on Thursday, found themselves stunned by a resilient and re-energized Express side.
Despite recent financial struggles, reportedly going up to six months without paying players, Express produced a defiant performance fueled by both pride and incentive. A fan-led promise of ten million shillings for a win over Vipers appeared to light a fire in the squad, and captain Emmanuel Wasswa led by example, bagging a first-half brace.
Wasswa opened the scoring in the 15th minute, reacting fastest to a rebound off the crossbar from Muhammad Senoga Kagawa’s shot. He doubled the lead with a stunning curler into the top right corner in the 27th minute, capping off a quick interplay that left Vipers’ defense in shambles.
After the break, Vipers responded with urgency. Allan Okello reignited hope in the 52nd minute with a powerful finish, and despite chances for Express to extend their lead—including a brilliant double save by Alfred Mudekereza in the 70th—Vipers clawed back. Substitute Gusto Mulongo delivered the final blow in the dying minutes, finishing off a flowing move initiated by a long pass from Karim Watambala and set up by the returning Milton Karisa.
The draw leaves Vipers on 53 points, now just two ahead of NEC FC with seven games remaining. Crucially, the two sides are set to clash next Thursday at Kitende in a fixture that could decide the destiny of the title.
- UPDF FC Frustrate Lugazi in Entertaining Draw
Elsewhere, UPDF FC continued to show grit as they held Lugazi FC to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling encounter at Lugazi FC Stadium. The result means UPDF has now taken four points off Lugazi this season, having edged the reverse fixture 1-0 in Bombo.
Samuel Ssekamatte gave UPDF the lead in the 15th minute, finishing off a well-crafted move initiated by Rashid Faridi and assisted by Joseph Janjali. Lugazi responded brightly, but were denied an equalizer in the first half as Sharif Saaka’s setup was met by a low drive from Derrick Mwanje, brilliantly saved by UPDF goalkeeper Richard Anyama.
The hosts came out firing in the second half. Sam Ssemugugu leveled the game with a composed penalty in the 51st minute after Freedom Mungudit was fouled. Two minutes later, Ssemugugu turned provider, setting up Emmanuel Obua who curled in a beauty to put Lugazi in front.
However, the visitors refused to back down. In the 69th minute, Janjali scored with a classy half-volley following a headed assist from Ochen Emmanuel, capitalizing on Lugazi’s failure to clear a long free-kick from Aggrey Kiirya.
With the result, UPDF FC sit 9th on the log with 29 points from 23 games, while Lugazi FC remain in 11th place on 27 points. Both sides will be back in action next week, with Lugazi visiting Kitara FC and UPDF hosting Maroons FC.
