Vipers edge closer to title with dominant win over NEC
The win extended their lead at the summit to five points with just six matches remaining.
Vipers SC's Isaac Ogwang (left) celebrates his goal against NEC during a Uganda Premier League match at the St. Mary's Stadium
Yekoyada Saaka
Journalist @New Vision
Uganda Premier League
Thursday Result
Vipers 3 NEC 1
Vipers SC took a giant leap towards reclaiming the Uganda Premier League title after a convincing 3-1 victory over nearest challengers NEC FC at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Thursday night.
The win extended their lead at the summit to five points with just six matches remaining.
Vipers SC's Isaac Ogwang (left) celebrates his goal against NEC during a Uganda Premier League match at the St. Mary's Stadium. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Despite the crucial result, Vipers coach Fred Muhumuza refused to get carried away, warning his side against complacency. "We must stay one hundred percent focused," he stressed. "There are six tough games left—three at home, three away—and anything can still happen. The boys showed great character today, but we can’t afford to relax."
Vipers SC's Allan Okello celebrates his goal against NEC during a Uganda Premier League match at the St. Mary's Stadium. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The hosts dominated from the outset, with defender Hillary Mukundane breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute with a powerful header from Allan Okello’s pinpoint free-kick. Okello, the league’s joint-top scorer, then capitalized on a defensive error to double the lead just before halftime, taking his tally to 16 goals this season.
Vipers struck again three minutes later, with January signing Isaac Ogwang marking his first goal for the club after a slick assist from Karim Watambala, sending the home side into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
URA FC's John Innocent Kisolo celebrates his goal against KCCA FC with Joseph Ssemujju (back) during a UPL match at the Hamz Stadium. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
NEC, who had arrived at Kitende with confidence after their coach Hussein Mbalangu boldly vowed to defeat the league leaders, improved in the second half but found Vipers’ backline—marshaled by Mukundane and Rogers Torach—too solid to breach. A late penalty from former Vipers forward Paul Mucureezi in the 83rd minute proved mere consolation for the visitors.
A visibly frustrated Mbalangu rued his side’s first-half collapse. "We didn’t follow instructions, and against a team like Vipers, mistakes are punished," he admitted. "But we’re not giving up. There are six games left, and we’ll fight until the end."
The result leaves Vipers firmly in control at the top with 56 points, while NEC remain second on 51. The league now takes a brief pause for the Uganda Cup quarter-finals, with Vipers set to face SC Villa on Monday, while NEC, already eliminated from the competition, will regroup ahead of their title chase resumption.