2025/26 Star Times Uganda Premier League
- Match day 17: Vipers 1-1 NEC
Vipers and NEC Football Club played to a 1-all stalemate at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende under floodlights on Tuesday night.
Team captain Milton Karisa scored in the 7th minute but NEC gallantly fought on and found the equalizer by defender Warren Buule inside the final 10 minutes of the game.
Match day 17 commenced well for the hosts when Karisa received a great ball from Abdul Karim Watambala before he finished calmly past goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo.
Watambala skied over the ball from a free-kick on 10 minutes off 40 yards.
Former Vipers player Basangwa executed a sweet pass with the outside of his lethal foot to find Rashid Kawawa on the right flank but the latter’s cross was tamed by goalkeeper Alfred Mukedereza.
A lively Chwukuma floated a ball from the left flank but goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo outjumped the opposition to collect the ball.
By the quarter hour mark, the hosts remained dominant and Arafat Usama curled the ball with the left wing off a free-kick.
NEC technical bench called for the first change of the game on 17 minutes; Shamir Kimwero replacing Daniel Shabene in a tactical switch.
Under 25 minutes, NEC made the second change when Joseph Dhata replaced Rashid Kawawa.
On the half hour mark, left back Enock Luyima had a cross picked up by goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo who outjumped Tadeo Lwanga
Vipers’ DaSlyva was cautioned for a late tackle towards Pius Obuya in the 32nd minute.
This was followed by another yellow card to midfielder Tadeo Lwanga two minutes later.
With 10 minutes to play in the opening half, Chukuma had a great run on the left but defender Ibrahim Kiyemba recovered well to regain possession.
NEC’s equalizer came in the 76th minute through defender Warren Buule’s header off Emmanuel Kulanga’s inviting corner kick.
Vipers play to their 5th draw of the season and a point takes them to 38, still aloft of the rest of the clubs.
This is the 9th draw for NEC, making it 24 points as they remain 7th on the 16 team log.
Team Line Ups:
Vipers SC XI: Alfred Mudekereza (GK), Bashir Mutanda, Enock Luyima, DaSylva, Hillary Mukundane, Tadeo Lwanga, Enock Ssebagala, Abdul-Karim Watambala, Chukwuma, Arafat Usama, Milton Karisa (Captain)
Subs: Dennis Kiggundu (G.K), Abubakar Walusimbi, Marvin Joseph Walusimbi, Katongole, Ogwang, Mbowa, Rogers Torach Ochaki, Yunus Sentamu, Mulongo, Kane
Head coach: Ivan Minnaert
NEC XI: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (G.K), Ibrahim Kiyemba, Gideon Odongo, Warren Buule, Ibrahim Musa, Joseph Seremba, Pius Obuya, Daniel Shabene, Rashid Kawawa, Richard Basangwa, Ssenoga Kagawa
Subs: Samson Kirya (G.K), Marvin Kavuma, Hakim Wandera, Shamwir Kimwero, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Joseph Dhata, Bayiga, Mutebi, Kulanga, Ronald Innocent Media, Sentamu Siraje
Head coach: Badru Kaddu