MATCH REPORT; BUL1-0 Vipers SC

BUL FC have returned to the summit of the Uganda premier league after completing a double over Vipers SC with a 1-0 victory on Wednesday.

With three matches left to call the season over, the Eastern Giants now count 49 points, one better of Kitara in second after 26 rounds but the result has given them a three point difference from the third placed Venoms who have a game in hand.

Abbey Kikomeko’s men went into the match knowing that they needed all the three points in order to keep their push for the title alive having lost their last league fixture.

Vipers were the first to come close as early as the fifth minute, goalkeeper Tom Ikara fumbled with Allan Okello’s shot, Fumador Asiwome then hit the cross bar from close range.

Before the  quarter hour mark, the contest became abit cagey, with little in terms of chances for either sides.

The Eastern Giants however raised the tempo of the game and pressed for the lead as Alex Kitara almost added to his tally in the 21st minute.

The forward looped a header following Nicholas Mwere’s fabulous over the top delivery but the number 26 was denied by Alfred Mudekereze with a strong one hand save.

BUL nevertheless remained on the front foot and eventually found the breakthrough in the 26th minute via Jerome Kirya.

Kitata broke free on the left channel and scooped into the box with his right foot, placing the ball behind the defensive line which Kirya swept home past Mudekereze to throw the packed Namboole stadium into a frenzy.

As the referee blew his whistle for half time, the Eastern Giants ended the half ahead as the score remained 1-0 thanks to Kirya’s sweet goal.

Both sides began the second half brightly, causing problems to each other but BUL remained tight at the back to deny the visitors any chance of a comeback.

BUL made the first change of the afternoon when Martin Aprem was brought on to replace Reagan Kalyowa as the Eastern Giants continued to fly high at home away from home.

Gerald Ogweti replaced Alex Kitata in the 72 minute before another double substitution saw Emmanuel Obua and Lawrence Tezikya replaced Jerome Kirya and Ibrahim Orit with one minute left to play.

Fulltime whistle went as BUL were back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Vipers SC.

The second leg of the Uganda Cup semi final is next for BUL FC on Saturday.

BUL FC XI:

Tom Ikara, Hillary Onek, Nicholas Mwere, Walter Ochora, Ronald Otti, George Kasonko, Pascal Ngobi, Jeromy Kirya (
Emmanuel Obua 89′) Reagan Kalyowa (Martin Aprem 60′), Ibrahim Orit (Lawrence Tezikya 89′)Alex Kitata(Gerald Ogweti 72′)

Unused substitutes:

Joel Mutakubwa, Joel Madondo, Ibrahim Kazindula, Amos Kirya, Ibrahim Mugulusi, , Mathew Odongo Tayo, John Okurut, Benon Tahomera.