Kitara FC produced a disciplined display under pressure to knock out Vipers SC and book a place in the Stanbic Uganda Cup final after a tense 1-1 draw at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday.
After the two sides failed to score in the first leg in Hoima, Kitara arrived in Kitende knowing that finding the net away from home could prove decisive — and they made that advantage count.
The visitors stunned the home crowd midway through the opening half when Jimmy Kalema’s clever header inside the box found Gaddafi Wahab, who reacted quickly to drive a left-footed strike beyond the goalkeeper and hand the Royals a precious lead.
That goal shifted the pressure firmly onto Vipers, who struggled to break through Kitara’s organised backline before halftime as frustration started creeping into the Venoms’ play.
Vipers eventually found a route back into the contest after referee George Olemu pointed to the spot following a challenge involving Yunus Sentamu inside the penalty area. The decision sparked debate among fans and players alike, with replays appearing to cast doubt over the incident.
Despite the protests, Karim Watambala converted the penalty to restore parity, although Kitara goalkeeper Meddie Kibirige nearly kept it out after getting a hand to the effort.
The hosts threw numbers forward in search of the winning goal that would keep their title defence alive, but Kitara continued to stand firm. Youngster Abubakar Walusimbi came agonisingly close late on when his thunderous attempt rattled the crossbar.
As time ran out, tension spread around the stadium, with sections of the home support visibly disappointed as Vipers failed to find a breakthrough.
The final whistle confirmed Kitara’s passage to the final on the away-goal rule, keeping alive their hopes of lifting silverware this season while ending Vipers’ ambitions of completing another domestic double.
Kitara will now await the winner between SC Villa and URA FC in the final, with SC Villa carrying a two-goal advantage into the decisive second leg.
