Vipers Sports Club ejected NEC 4-3 in post match penalties to make it to the semi-finals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo on Good Friday.
Normal time of this contest had ended goal-less after 120 minutes of football.
The tense shoot out witnessed the reigning cup holders scoring through Abdul-Karim Watambala, Yunus Junior Sentamu, Hilary Mukundane and skipper Milton Karisa.
Left back Enock Luyima missed his kick, stopped by goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo.
Warren Buule hit the crossbar for NEC’s first penalty. Pius Obuya was stopped by goalkeeper Dennis Kiggundu.
Hakim Wandera, Ronald Innocent Media and goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo scored the three penalties for NEC.
The home side commenced the game brilliantly with the early pressure earning them a corner kick when former Vipers’ forward Richard Basangwa committed left back Enock Luyima in the 8th minute.
The resultant corner kick delivery by Hakim Wandera met Muhammed Ssenoga Kagawa who shot over the bar.
Vipers’ Nigerian born winger Odili Chukwuma had a cross from the left flank but none was available to make contact.
On the quarter hour mark, Arafat Usama shot off target from about 40 yards.
Moments later, Usama set up forward Beyuku whose half volley flew over.
It was Vipers again as Enock Ssebagala set up Usama who shot over the bar.
Abdul-Karim Watambala delivered a free-kick that Tadeo Lwanga headed over inside the NEC goal area in the 22nd minute.
NEC’s forward Samuel Ssekamatte Kayongo missed the head contact off Kagawa’s cross from the left flank on the hour mark.
Beyuku missed from close range when he booted the ball out of the goal frame from close range in the 33rd minute.
Three minutes later, Kagawa tested Mudekereza from distance and the shot spilled off the hands of goalkeeper for a fruitless corner kick.
Vipers’ left Enock Luyima cross is easily picked up by goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo. On the break, Ssekamatte shot over from close range as the opening stanza ended goal-less.
Upon resumption of the final half; NEC midfielder Tonny Atukunda was cautioned for a foul on Watambala in the 51sth minute.
Ten minutes into the second half, Usama crossed for Enock Ssebagala but the latter shot over from the edge of the goal area
57’ Play resumes. Mudekereza is okay is up on his feet
Ten minutes into the second half, Vipers goalkeeper Alfred Macumu Mudekereza shrugged off a knock to solider on.
NEC called for a double on the stroke of the hour mark; Emmanuel Kulanga was introduced for Shamir Kimwero and Ronald Innocent Media came on for Samuel Kayongo Ssekamatte.
Vipers goalkeeper Mudekereza limped out for the fresh gloves of Denis Kiggundu in the 65th minute as Milton Karisa came on for forward Beyuku.
NEC missed the opportunity to take the lead when Wandera’s curling free-kick flew over to miss target by inches.
Vipers had a chance to take the lead on 74 minutes but goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo sprinted out of the goal area to deny the on-rushing Karisa.
The Venoms introduced Yunus Junior Sentamu for Chukwuma with 13 minutes left on the clock. At the same time, Joseph Seremba came out for Allan Mugalu as NEC made their own change on the 80th minute mark.
Vipers piled pressure in the closing minutes of the game, with defender Warren Buule sliding to defend when Sentamu had set up Watambala inside the goal area.
NEC forward player Allan Mugalu got cautioned after a late challenge.
The hosts made a double change inside the final minute of the five added on with Pius Obuya and James Jarieko coming on for Gideon Odongo and Richard Basangwa respectively.
Normal time ended goal-less, calling for the additional 30 minutes of extra time.
As the first half of extra time kicked off, Vipers rested Tadeo Lwanga for the fresh legs of Paul Patrick Mbowa.
Enock Luyima got cautioned at the end of the opening stanza in the first half of extra-time.
NEC had an opportunity to break the deadlock but goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu made a double save to deny forward Innocent Ronald Media.
Watambala’s free-kick was well tamed by goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo and Pius Obuya also tested with a shot off target.
Vipers called for their final change when Joseph Marvin Youngman was introduced for the injured Ssebagala in the last minute of the game.
How the spot kicks unfolded:
NEC kicked first. Buule’s shot razed off the cross bar. Watambala came and scored from two attempts.
Obuya came and was denied by goalkeeper Kiggundu who dived to his left. Sentamu made it 2-0 for Vipers.
Wandera pulled back a goal for NEC, making it 2-1 before Mukundane stretched Vipers’ lead to 3-1.
Media pulled back another goal for NEC to narrow the margin 3-2 and at this stage Vipers needed only to score their next penalty that Luyima missed after Ssebwalunyo dived to his left to push away the ball.
Ssebwalunyo stood up to score and level the matters 3-all.
Vipers had the last smile when captain Karisa scored their fifth kick to make it 4-3 to progress to the semi-finals, and spark wild celebrations.
Meanwhile, URA takes on KCCA on Holy Saturday at Hamz stadium (Nakivubo War Memorial grounds) in the second quarter final.
Team Line Ups:
NEC XI: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (G.K), Ibrahim Musa, Gideon Odong, Hakim Wandera, Warren Buule, Shamir Kimwero, Tonny Atukunda, Joseph Seremba, Ssenoga Kagawa, Richard Basangwa, Samuel Ssekamatte
Subs: Samson Kirya (G.K), Daniel Shabene, Marvin Kavuma, Allan Mugalu, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Bayiga, Mutebi, James Jarieko, Emmanuel Kulanga, Ronald Innocent Media, Pius Obuya, Rashid Kawawa
Head coach: Badru Kaddu Mukasa
Assistant coach: James Odoch
Vipers XI: Alfred Mudekereza (G.K), Ashraf Mandela, Enock Luyima, Hilary Mukundane (Captain), DaSylva, Tadeo Lwanga, Abdul Karim Watambala, Enock Ssebagala, Arafat Usama Kiza, Odili Chukwuma, Beyuku
Subs: Dennis Kiggundu (G.K), Jack Komakech (G.K), Patrick Paul Mbowa, Derrick Ndahiro, Grant Matsiko, Marvin Joseph Youngman, Francis Ogwang, Rogers Torach Ochaki, Yunus Junior Sentamu, Yallah, Milton Karisa
Head coach: Ivan Minnaert
Assistant coach: John “Ayala” Luyinda
Center Referee: Razak Lucky Kasalirwe
