By Allan Damba
SC Villa scored a crucial away goal as they held Vipers SC 1-1 in the first leg of their Stanbic Uganda Cup quarter-final at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
Vipers squandered several goal scoring chances, before taking the lead with 11 minutes to play, but Ronald Ssekiganda struck in added time to give his side a slight advantage in the tie.
The hosts who made no changes to their line up from their league game at Bright Stars on Saturday dominated proceedings right from the start with Bobosi Byaruhanga threatening inside the opening 10 minutes.
Ceaser Manzoki and Yunus Ssentamu all drew top saves from Villa keeper Martin Ssenkooto, while Byaruhanga hit the post from a corner kick.
Ssenkooto had a busy day in goal with numerous shots at goal including a strong one-hand save from second half substitute Lawrence Tezikya.
Tezikya put Vipers in the lead in the 79th minute with a glancing header from Byaruhanga’s cross that caught Ssenkooto flat footed.
Villa provided little in attack started venturing forward in search of a lifeline, and were paid handsomely in added time as Ssekiganda rose high to power home substitute Francis Olaki’s cross.
Seeking a second Uganda cup trophy, Vipers have to win by any margin or pick any draw that is not 0-0 or 1-1 on enemy territory at the Bombo Military Grounds on Wednesday, May 2.
A goalless draw will have the Jogoo progress but a stalemate of more than a single goal will have the Venoms advance to the last four on goal difference.
How they lined up
Vipers SC XI: Bashir Ssekagya (Gk), Halid Lwaliwa (C), Aziz Kayondo, Livingstone Mulondo, Paul Willa, Siraje Ssentamu, Bobosi Byaruhanga, AbdulKarim Watambala, Yunus Ssentamu, Ceaser Manzoki, Ibrahim Oriti
Subs: Fabien Mutombora (Gk), Disan Galiwango, Milton Karisa, Allan Kayiwa, Richard Basangwa, Paul Mucureezi, Lawrence Tezikya
SC Villa XI: Martin Ssenkooto (Gk), Nsubuga Joseph, Derrick Ndahiro, Gavin Kizito, Geofrey Wasswa, Amir Kakomo, Sadam Masereka, Ronald Ssekiganda, Isaac Ogwanga, Nicholas Kabonge, Muhamad Ssenoga
Subs: Saidi Keni (Gk), Fred Agandu, Ronald Olaki, Derrick Ssekiranda, Nsereko Muhammed, Faizo Kazibwe, Moses Kiggundu
