Vipers retained their three point advantage at the top of the Startimes Uganda Premier League (UPL) heading into the final first round games with a 4-1 hammering of Police at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Tuesday evening.
The reigning champions turned what was a top of the table clash into a one-sided contest as they played arguably their best 45 minutes since Ivan Minnaert was appointed head coach in July last year.
They led 3-0 at half time against a shell-shocked Police side with AbdulKarim Watambala again running the show.
The midfielder who ironically seems liberated by the departure of close friend Allan Okello created the opener for Milton Karisa with a fine through ball.
The latter obliged, toe poking the ball past an out of position Mathias Muwanga for a 32nd minute lead.
Watambala then added the second goal on 41 minutes with a goal of the season contender.
The midfielder received a pass from Enoch Ssebagala and with the Police defence backing off sent an unstoppable drive that flew in off the underside of the crossbar. The goal was his third in two games after scoring a brace in saturday’s 3-0 win over URA.
The game was then ended as a contest on 45 minutes when Odili Chukwuma headed in Usama Arafat’s cross after nutmegging Richard Matovu.
Police, who up to that point had offered little threat going forward then pulled a goal back through Saidi Kyeyune who scored with a low shot four minutes after the break.
But Vipers restored their three-goal advantage on 77 minutes when substitute Yunus Sentamu set up Usama for the fourth goal with a header.
The result lifts Vipers to 33 points while Police dropped to third on 27 points. KCCA are back into second position after a comfortable 4-0 win over UPDF.
Sammy Ssebaduka was the star of the show scoring a brace while there were also goals from Joel Sserunjogi and substitute Alpha Ssali.
UPL results
KCCA 4-0 UPDF
Vipers 4-1 Police
Lugazi 2-1 Bul
Calvary 0-0 URA