Express Football Club stun Vipers SC to their first home defeat of the season, after winning 1-0 at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
John Byamukama scored a stunning long-range shot in the 65th minute from a well set ball by Martin Kizza in more than 30 yeards.
Express had a brilliant start to the game and as early as the 5th minute,Godfrey Lwesibawa had already had a chance towards the Vipers goal.
Two minutes later, defender Livingstone Mulondo headed out Bobosi Byaruhanga’s corner kick as Vipers made their first goal attempt.
Two quick cautions were given out to Ceaser Manzoki and Charles Musiige in the 13th and 15th minutes respectively for unsporting conduct.
Musiige swiftly recovered from a knock to soldier on after 25 minutes.
Towards the half-hour mark, Express defender Murushid Juuko headed out a dangerous cross from Disan Galiwango.
Immediately after the second half kick off , Vipers defender Mulondo headed to the side netting off Bobosi Byaruhanga free-kick.
Mucureezi set up Karim Watambala who shoots over from 20 yards on 50 minutes.
Express defender Isa Lumu got cautioned for protesting a referee’s decision after a handball call on the edge of the goal area.
Mucureezi hit the resultant free-kick straight to the defensive wall before Sentamu blasted over the rebound.
In the 56th minute, John Byamukama shot straight to the goalkeeper Bashir Ssekagya from 20 yards.
Two minutes later, Lwesibawa shot over a distant free-kick.
On the hour mark, Martin Kizza had a chance missed from closed range and Galiwango shot over from close range off an acute angle.
Vipers called for a double change in the 64th minute. Left back Galiwango paved way for left footed striker Richard Basangwa and Sentamu was rested for Milton Karisa.
The deadlock was broken in the 65thminute when Byamukama shot from 20 yards off Kizza’s well calculated set ball to spark wild celebrations for the Red Eagles.
Two minutes later, Watambala hit the cross bar with a distant effort.
Vipers third change came as midfielder David Bagoole was pushed on for Paul Mucureezi after 73 minutes.
A minute later, Express made their first change of the day when Daniel Shabene came on for Martin Kizza.
With 13 minutes to play, FIFA Referee Mashood Ssali cautioned Express goalkeeper Mathias Muwanga.
For the final 10 minutes, Express defended well and in numbers.
At one stage, there was a goal chances for the home side but the visitors defence successfully blocks following the attempts from Basangwa, Manzoki and Orit.
The Venoms remained the team on mission and in the 84th minute, left back Aziz Kayondo had a cross into the area but Manzoki fouled goalkeeper Muwanga as play was halted.
Basangwa had the final attempt on target with a weak shot well collected by Muwanga inside the goal area.
Inside the final added minutes, Milton Karisa volleyed over in front of the goal mouth for the final chance ruined.
At this time, FIFA Referee Ssali signaled full time, much to the delight of the Express players, the officials as well as few traveling fans; on the contrast, Vipers’ players fell to the Kitende astro turf in a crest fallen mood.
Byamukama was deserved named the pilsner man of the match, earning Shs. 100,000 for the feat.
Express is now on 40 points, three behind Vipers and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Meanwhile, Kyetume edged visiting Wakiso Giants 3-2 at the Nakisunga Ssaza playground.
This was Kyetume’s second successive victory at that this stadium since relocating from the FUFA Technical Center, Njeru.
Vipers XI: Bashir Sekagya (G.K), Paul Willa (G.K), Aziz Kayondo, Livingstone Mulondo, Disan Galiwango, Dissan Galiwango, Ibrahim Orit, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Paul Mucureezi, Yunus Sentamu, Karim Watambala, Cesar Manzoki
Subs: Denis Kiggundu (G.K), Halid Lwaliwa, Jamil Kalisa, Richard Basangwa, Joseph Dhata, David Bagoole, Milton Karisa
Express XI: Mathias Muwanga (G.K), Enoch Walusimbi (Captain), Isa Lumu, Murushid Juuko, Sadiq Ssekyembe, Mahad Yaya Kakooza, John Byamukama, Charles Musiige, Martin Kizza Lubwama, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Eric Kenzo Kambale
Subs – Chrispus Kusiima (G.K), Daniel Shabene, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Ivan Mayanja, Frank Kalanda, Mustafa Kiragga
