Vipers beat Police to win the 2022/23 Stanbic Uganda Cup in a final played at Akii-bua Stadium, Lira.
Milton Karisa scored the all important goal as the Venoms edged a closely contested affair to win their third Uganda Cup title.
Karisa headed in a well weighed corner from Bright Anukani in the 16th minute of the game.
The win seals a first ever double in Vipers history for a club that won the League a week back.
They join an elite class – that include SC Villa, Express and KCCA – of teams to have won the league and Uganda Cup in a single season.
The Venoms are third time luck having failed to win a double twice when they lost the Uganda Cup final in 2000 (SC Villa) and 2002/3 (Express).
This might not be the best team ever assembled at Kitende, but they will go down on record as having achieved a historical feat.
And coach Alex Isabirye, who was brought in in the second round of the season, should take his flowers having made a quick turnaround at the Club in a season the club sacked Coaches Roberto Oliveira and Beto Bianchi earlier.
Vipers didn’t put up the best display on the day but just got the job done.
They were second best actually, with Police dominating proceedings.
Emmanuel Mugume wasted the best chance to put Police ahead when he was put through on goal but fired over the bar with just a keeper to beat.
And less than five minutes later, Vipers got a breakthrough when Karisa headed in from Anukani’s corner.
Police almost got one back before halftime, but failed to benefit from Fabien Mutombora’s fumble for Denis Kalanzi to place wide.
In the second half, Police continued to ask questions – Herman Waiswa shoot over the bar while Abdul Nsereko couldn’t beat Mutombora.
And Police, who lost Jackson Ssemugabi to a threatening injury (concussion and later rushed to hospital), couldn’t get a leveller.
Reaching a final is a good run for Police, but not a good season altogether after the club failed to earn UPL promotion recently.
On a strong note, with Vipers already through to CAF Champions League by virtue of winning the League, the CAG Confederation Cup slot (which goes to Uganda Cup winner), will be awarded to KCCA who finished second in the league.
Vipers 2022/23 Uganda Cup summary
Round 64: Rujjumbura (6-4 pen)
Round 32: Jinja North (7-6 pen)
Round 16: Wakiso Giants (4-3 pen)
Quarterfinal: Calvary (4-1)
Semifinal: Bright Stars (4-1 agg)
Final: Police 1-0
The prize money Breakdown is as follows:
•Winner – 50 million (1 team)
•Runner Up – 25 million (1 team)
•Semi Finalists – 12.5 million each (2 teams)
•Quarter Finalists – 6 million each (4 teams)
•Round of 16 – 3 million each (8 teams)
•Round of 32 – 2 million each (16 teams)
.TOTAL – 180 million (32 teams)
Most Uganda Cup Titles
10 – KCCA, Express
9 – SC Villa
3- URA, Vipers
2 – Simba, Coffee, Mbale, Victors
1 – UEB, Nsambya Old Tymers, Victoria University, Proline, BUL
Uganda Cup Past Winners Since 2000
2000 – SC Villa
2001 – Express
2002 – SC Villa
2003 – Express
2004 – KCCA FC
2005 – URA
2006 – Express
2006/07 – Express
2007/08 – Victors
2008/09 – SC Villa
2009/10 – Victors
2010/11 – Simba
2011/12 – URA
2012/13 – Victoria University
2013/14 – URA FC
2014/15 – SC Villa
2015/16 – Vipers SC
2017 – KCCA FC
2018 – KCCA FC
2019 – Proline
2019/20 – Null and Void
2020/21 – Vipers
2021/22 – BUL
2022/23 – Vipers
