Mbarara City are proving a point in one way or another to other competitors that their intentions in the 2018/2019 StarTimes Uganda Premier League shouldn’t be taken for granted.

The Ankole Lions are not third on the 16 team log by mistake, the Livingstone Mbabazi coached side forced a one all draw against league holders Vipers in Kitende on Sunday.

Coming into the tie, Vipers were coming off another one all draw with URA at Namboole on Friday in one their remaining first round fixtures.

Vipers started the game the hungrier side, as early as the seventh minute they got the chance to get into the lead, winger Innocent Wafula broke away down the right but his trademark ground pass couldn’t be connected home by Daniel Muzeyi Sserunkuma.

It was the 2017/2019 top scorer though who powered Vipers into the lead on 16 minutes after a series of misses from him and Tito Okello.

GOOOOOOAL!!!!#VIPMBA 1-0 17' Dan Sserunkuma smartly fires the ball in the net to give Vipers the lead. pic.twitter.com/SvIEiKiFFy

— Vipers Sports Club (@VipersSC) January 27, 2019

 It was Sserunkuma’s ninth of the season, one behind SC Villa’s Bashir Mutanda, the former was on eight at this stage last season as he switched from Express to Vipers.

As Mbarara tightened matters in defense, they also searched for a lifeline on the other side of the pitch.

They finally found the breakthrough through Paul Mucureezi in the 52nd minute and they held onto that until the finals whistle.

Mbarara’s defensive heartbeat Hillary Mukundane put up important displays, he defended like it was his ticket to heaven providing a point why he has been one of the best defenders of the first round.

53' Vipers 1-1 Mbarara City

Paul Mucureezi equalises for Mbarara City FC#Football256 #UPLLive pic.twitter.com/Mj48pOLInn

— Football256 (@f00tball256) January 27, 2019

Vipers handed Henry Katongole his debut since signing him from SC Villa at the start of the season, his partnership with Livingstone Mulondo was one any coach would be impressed with. 

The result was Vipers seventh draw of the season and Mbarara’s fourth as both sides end the first round second and third respectively.

At 31 points, Vipers are five points behind KCCA FC while at 28 points, Mbarara are four points ahead of Onduparaka. 

The second stanza of the season resumes on Tuesday, Mbarara will play again on Wednesday when they host KCCA FC at Kakyeka while Vipers host Kirinya at Kitende.