With the finishing tape now clearly in sight, table leaders Vipers are still trudging on in firm control of the Uganda Premier League title race.
The Venoms sit on 60 points from 27 matches with only three games left, while their supposed challengers continue jostling among themselves in a desperate attempt to depose them.
Yet the latest round of fixtures produced another thrilling shake-up in a title race that refuses to settle. Vipers stumbled to a surprising 1-1 draw against a hard fighting URA side at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Friday night.
Ronald Otti stunned the hosts in the 35th minute when he powered home Isma Mugulusi’s teasing free-kick delivery after poor marking from Ivan Minnaert’s defence.
Vipers responded after the restart through Arafat Usama, whose close-range header in the 49th minute followed Hilary Mukundane’s effort crashing off the crossbar from an Ashraf Mandela long throw.
The result was surprising largely because the Venoms were expected to brush aside URA who sit 11th and are playing mainly for pride.
Instead, Vipers looked tense, wasteful and vulnerable under pressure, failing to build on last week’s equally frustrating draw against KCCA. Despite several attacking substitutions and late pressure, the leaders could not find a winner.
Wide open race
The slip, however, was not fully punished because nearest challengers Kitara also stumbled badly. Wasswa Bbosa’s men suffered a painful 1-0 defeat to Nec at Royal Park Butema in Hoima on Saturday.
Richard Basangwa’s 50th-minute header condemned Kitara to a fifth defeat of the season and left them stranded on 54 points. It was a result that virtually surrendered their dream of a maiden league title despite their spirited campaign.
Meanwhile, KCCA emerged as the match day’s biggest winners after dismantling Maroons 3-0 at MTN Omondi Stadium earlier on Thursday.
Ashraf Mugume, Herbert Achayi and Ivan Ahimbisibwe scored for Brian Ssenyondo and Jackson Magera’s side as KCCA climbed to second place on 55 points.
After weeks of inconsistency, the Kasasiro Boys suddenly appear ready to stage a faint but spirited late fight for the league diadem.
Still, the remaining fixtures point to a nervy photo finish. Vipers must negotiate tricky away trips to Police and Maroons before hosting an unpredictable Express on the final day.
KCCA face UPDF away, URA away and Mbarara City at home – fixtures they realistically must win all. Kitara’s run-in against Express, Bul and Police also offers little room for error.
Jogoo surrender
For SC Villa, Friday’s barren draw with Bul not only left them fourth on 52 points and effectively outside the title picture, but also exposed the frailties that have haunted Zeljko Kovacevic’s side all season – a blunt attack and lack of cutting edge in decisive moments.
They must now focus on finishing off the 2-0 Uganda Cup semifinal first leg against URA on May 16 at Kadiba Stadium, to retain trophy hopes this season.
Kitara’s consolation may now lie in the Uganda Cup where they face Vipers in the semifinal return leg after a 0-0 first-leg stalemate. For KCCA, there is no margin for error; only maximum points and another Vipers collapse can revive their fading dream.
At the basement, Buhimba United remained in deep trouble after their 2-0 loss to Express left them bottom with 15 points, one behind fellow newcomers Calvary in an increasingly desperate relegation battle.
StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Vipers remaining matches
May 12: Police vs. Vipers
May 19: Maroons vs. Vipers
May 23: Vipers vs. Express KCCA remaining matches
May 13: UPDF vs. KCCA
May 20: URA vs. KCCA
May 23: KCCA vs. Mbarara City
Kitara remaining matches
May 12; Express vs. Kitara
May 19: Bul vs Kitara
May 23: Kitara vs. Police