Uganda Premier League: Okello penalty helps Vipers edge Maroons to widen title gap

Vipers SC Media

Vipers SC continued their relentless march toward the StarTimes Uganda Premier League title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Maroons at Luzira Grounds on Thursday.

Allan Okello delivered the game’s decisive moment just two minutes into the second half, coolly dispatching a penalty after a Maroons defender was penalised for a handball in the area. It was Okello’s 17th goal of the season and his seventh from the spot, solidifying his position as the league’s top scorer, five goals ahead of URA’s Ivan Ahimbisibwe.

The victory takes Vipers to 59 points from 25 matches, marking their 18th win of the campaign. With five games remaining, the Kitende-based side now holds an eight-point cushion at the top of the table. NEC, their closest challengers, will have a chance to cut the gap to five points if they beat bottom-placed Mbale Heroes at Lugogo on Friday.

Coaches John ‘Luyinda’ Ayala and Fred Muhumuza will be pleased with the defensive discipline their team showed on the road, grinding out a rare win at a traditionally tricky venue. Maroons, meanwhile, remain eighth on 34 points.

Express stage comeback to share spoils with UPDF

Elsewhere at Nakivubo, Express FC fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against UPDF in a thrilling contest.

UPDF had taken full control in the first half, with Joseph Janjali capitalising on a defensive lapse to fire the visitors ahead in the 26th minute. He then turned provider, setting up Samuel Ssekamatte to double the lead just eight minutes later.

But the Red Eagles responded with resilience after the break. Sam Ssenyonjo halved the deficit on the hour mark, before Geofrey Gagganga latched onto a Wandera cross to level matters and secure a hard-earned point.

Both sides now sit on 33 points, with Express in ninth and UPDF in tenth after 25 games played. The Uganda Premier League resumes on Friday with three more fixtures.