Vipers, KCCA falter to keep NEC top

StarTimes Uganda Premier League 

Last matchday 10 results, Saturday, November 30, 2024

Lugazi 1-1 KCCA

Vipers SC 0-0 Kitara

Title contenders Vipers SC and KCCA both dropped points as matchday 10 of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League closed on Saturday to keep NEC top of standings. 

KCCA, who have now failed to win in three straight matches, surrendered the lead to draw 1-1 away to Lugazi, while Vipers fired blanks in the stalemate with Kitara in Kitende.

At Lugazi Stadium, Derrick Mwanje’s 77th minute goal off a Basham Mugwa assist denied KCCA, who had taken an early second half lead through striker Sadat Anaku, all three points. Usama Arafat crafted that one for Anaku on 48 minutes.

The result in Lugazi kept KCCA, who last won a game on October 31, then thrashing Maroons 5-0, in third place on 19 points.

Lugazi’s 11th point of the season has the league newcomers in 12th position on a 16-team league table.

In Kitende, Kitara – fresh from their 4-0 demolition of UPDF after a laboured start to the season, put up a spirited display to pick a valuable point off hosts Vipers.

The point moves Kitara to eight but the Royals remain in the bottom three; third from the bottom to be precise.

Vipers, who had come into this match buoyant after a 2-0 win over URA, had Allan Okello hit the post in the first half but despite a flurry of second half substitutions in an attempt to break the deadlock, Kitara held on for their point.

The Venoms stay second on the log on 21 points, one behind leaders NEC, who earlier beat defending champions SC Villa 2-1.

Only a point, each, separates NEC, Vipers and KCCA all three teams having played 10 matches apiece.