Vipers SC kicked off their Uganda Premier League title defense with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Entebbe UPPC at Bugonga Fisheries ground on Saturday.
The Venoms’ title defense had been delayed due to their protest over the new round format and their CAF Champions League expedition.
Abdul Karim Watambala, who had previously scored against Power Dynamos during Vipers’ CAF Champions League exit in Zambia, was instrumental in securing the win for the champions.
He netted the only goal of the match in the 62nd minute, courtesy of a pass from Yunus Sentamu.
Despite a spirited effort from Entebbe UPPC, led by former Vipers coach Abdallah Mubiru, the team was denied a late point when Alfred Mudekereze made a crucial save from Isa Bugembe’s decent strike in the final minutes of the game.
Vipers SC earned their first three points of the campaign and are now 13th on the table, while Entebbe UPPC dropped to 8th place with seven points.
The Venoms will look to build on this win when they face KCCA FC on Friday next week, while Entebbe UPPC will travel to Calvary FC on the same day.
In other action, NEC FC registered their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Mbarara City at Kamwenge.
The win will give the team a much-needed boost as they look to improve their standings in the league.
