BY Juma Ali/
Vipers are the 2022/23 Uganda Premier League champions after a dramatic last day of the season.
The Venoms beat Busoga United 5-0 while SC Villa who needed a win to be crowned champions, were beaten at home by URA FC.
Villa who started the much anticipated day on top, finish the season in third place after KCCA beat Bright Stars 5-0.
Vipers SC retained the StarTimes Uganda Premier League on a dramatic final day of the season after SC Villa surrendered their two-point lead by losing 1-0 to URA FC on Saturday, May 27 2023 at the Muteesa II stadium, Wankulukuku.
Following the 5-0 thrashing of Busoga United at the St Mary’s stadium, Kitende, Vipers finished level on 53 points with KCCA FC who also beat Solitilo Bright Stars 5-0.
It is the second league title in a row and sixth overall for Vipers.
Abubakar Lawal scored a double while a goal each from Yunus Sentamu, Martin Kizza and Bright Anukani sealed a historical victory for the champions.
Rogers Mato scored four and Charles Lwanga added another but Jackson Mayanja’s side could only manage to finish second on the log.
It was a celebratory mood earlier at Wankulukuku as Villa fans anticipated a triumphant day.
But after a goalless first half against URA, pressure started to mount on home team fans at Wankulukuku.
And the big moment arrived when Najib Fessali was at the end of Saidi Kyeyune’s freekick to plant a header into the back of the net after the hour-mark
Villa huffed and puffed from there after, but couldn’t get a goal.
And before the final whistle, a couple of Villa fans that had stormed Wankulukuku, had already found their way out.
And the Club’s wait for a league title since 2004 continue for another season.
Vipers looked to have lost this league title on the previous match-day after drawing 1-1 with BUL FC.
And they started the d-day in second place, needing not only to win, but also hope that URA deny SC Villa maximum points.
Everything went Vipers way as they were not under any pressure when Abubakar Lawal scored as early the 15th minute.
It has been a bumpy season for the Venoms who made their debut in the CAF Champions League.
They started with Roberto Oliveira as as head coach, who was then replaced by Beto Bianchi midway this season
And after a barren spell, Bianchi was shown an exit door, and then a local coach in Alex Isabirye was brought in.
The Venoms after sealing the league title, sixth in the Club history, have focus on winning a double this season.
They are in the Cup semis against Bright Stars, with a foot in the final already having won the first leg 4-0 at Kitende.
The UPL title come with a ticket to CAF Champions League, and Vipers will hope for nothing but more better days ahead
SUPL match day 28 fulltime results:
Vipers SC 5- 0 Busoga United FC
SC Villa 0 -1 URA FC
KCCA FC 5 – 0 Solito Bright Stars FC
UPDF FC 1 – 4 Onduparaka FC
Blacks Power FC 3 -1 Express FC
Maroons FC 0 – 0 BUL FC
Arua Hill FC 1 – 0 Wakiso Giants FC
