Vipers SC will be eyeing a crucial three points today as they face Maroons FC at Luzira Prisons Grounds in a match that could significantly shape the Uganda Premier League title race.
Sitting top with 56 points, a win would see the Venoms open up an eight-point gap over NEC, who play tomorrow, giving them a strong cushion with just six matches remaining.
Fresh off two confidence-boosting victories, a 3-1 win over NEC and a gritty 1-0 Uganda Cup quarter-final triumph against SC Villa. Vipers enter this fixture in red-hot form. Allan Okello continues to lead the line with authority, currently the league’s top scorer on 16 goals.
With Abdul Karim Watambala pulling the strings in midfield and key players like Milton Karisa returning from injury, coach John Luyinda has a wealth of options at his disposal perhaps too many, given the selection headache he now faces.
However, Luzira is no easy hunting ground. Maroons, eighth on the log with 34 points, have managed to frustrate Vipers at home in recent encounters, avoiding defeat in their last two meetings at Luzira. Though they fell 2-1 to UPDF in their previous match, the return of defensive stalwart Derrick Basoga and forward Raymond Walugembe gives coach Mohamed Ssenfuma’s side a timely boost.
While Vipers dominated the reverse fixture at Kitende with a slender 1-0 win thanks to Moses Waiswa, they’ll know a repeat result won’t come easy in Luzira, especially against a Maroons side looking to restore pride after last week’s stumble.
Other Fixture: At Nakivubo’s Hamz Stadium, Express FC will try to maintain momentum from their narrow win over Mbale Heroes when they take on UPDF under the lights. The Red Eagles are desperate to string together a consistent run as the season winds down.
