• Saturday, June 3 | Uganda Cup Final
• Police FC vs Vipers SC – 3 pm

Vipers SC have won this season’s Uganda Premier League and can add to that if they beat Big League side Police FC in the Uganda Cup Final on Saturday, June 3 to seal off a long-awaited double.

The Cops are eager to spoil the party as their head coach Angelo Lonyesi reveals it will be one of the easiest matches they have played throughout this year’s campaign.

“I think this is going to be one of the easiest matches for us,” Lonyesi strongly noted ahead of the duel at Akiibua Stadium in Lira District.

“We have had enough time to prepare and I think it has been used to the maxim. We are very ready for tomorrow’s game and since it’s the last of the season, we are ready to play our hearts out,” he added.

“Many hardly expected Police to reach here and it’s upon us to prove, we deserve it. We are here and we shall surprise them the more by winning the trophy.”

However, Vipers have a big assignment of joining the class of double winners led by SC Villa (6), KCCA and Express who have achieved it once.

Last year, they came so close but BUL extended the wait just like their bitter rivals KCCA did in Bukedea (2018).

Vipers SC head coach Alex Isabirye takes the game lightly, respecting his opponent and underling that they are up to a hard game against the Cops.

“I know the game will not be easy. There is no weak team which reaches the finals,” Isabirye said.

“I know they are a good side but we are ready for this game. We have prepared well and will give our best to see that we win the title,” he added.

In the same spirit, Milton Karisa, Vipers captain expressed his readiness for the game noting they have prepared well and are ready to fight for the badge.

Police are climaxing a disappointing season after they failed to return to top-tier football so they would love to finish on a high with silverware in their trophy cabin.

Police’s last trophy came in 2006 as they were CECAFA Kagame Cup winners.

On the flip side, Vipers have had not the best season but managed to take home the league title so winning the Uganda Cup will make this particular squad the most successful in clinching a double.

Vipers SC have yet another chance to win a double, can they finally get the assignment done?

The Venoms face Police FC in the Uganda Cup final. It’s the third straight final for the Kitende-based side after falling in the previous final to BUL FC in a 3-1 loss.

Having won the Uganda Premier League last week, Alex Isabirye’s charges have one test ahead of them: beating Police FC in the game that will be played at Akii Bua Stadium, Lira.

High scoring rate

To reach the third successive final, the Venoms eliminated Bright Stars FC thanks to a 4-1 aggregate win in the semifinals.

Vipers SC whitewashed Bright Stars 4-0 at St Mary’s Kitende, Stadium before they lost 1-0 in the second leg.

Vipers as well thumped Calvary FC 4-1 in the quarterfinals and it has proved that if the scoring tap opens then it can get freely flowing which might give their opponents Police FC a big task.

The same Venom was exhibited in the last league game as the league champions put five past Busoga United to clinch the title on goal difference.

Isabirye in search of fourth 

Isabirye was on the hunting side last year as he set up the plan for BUL to beat Vipers and win their maiden title.

However, he has lifted the title with Victoria University and URA. So he would be searching for the fourth but also guiding Vipers to its very first double.

Urge to make amends

Having lost the title last year with a star-studded side, Vipers will seek to make amends and that can only be done by nothing else but only lifting the prestigious honour.

Having said it all, Vipers will have some work to do since Police FC’s gaffer Angelo Lonyesi has already set the warning promising to play their hearts out in the much-anticipated duel.

• Uganda Cup | Semifinals
• Bright Stars 1-0 Vipers (Agg: 1-4)

Vipers SC and Police FC will contend for this year’s FUFA Uganda Cup after securing the slots in the final on Saturday.

Vipers went past Bright Stars while Police were on top of the Big League clash to storm the final.

Despite the 1-0 loss to Bright Stars at Kavumba Recreational Grounds, the Venoms progressed 4-1 on aggregate.

It should be noted Vipers will play their third Uganda Cup final in a row. In the previous two, they have won one and lost one.

In the 40th minute, Rogers Torach fumbled to give possession to Nelson Ssenkatuka before he went past Hillary Mukundane before he composed himself to squeeze the ball past Fabien Mutombora.

A minute later, Ssenkatuka yet again warmed Mutombora’s gloves before he punched the ball out for a corner kick.

At the stroke of the first stanza, the hosts were at it again as Ssenkatuka danced around Mutombora but failed to place the ball into an empty net as Torach cleared his lines.

Five minutes into the second stanza, Abdul Lumala danced his way into the area before his chipped effort rattled off the frame.

Moments later, Bright Anukani set up Martin Kizza whose powerful effort was blocked by Bright Stars custodian Sanon Mulabi.

In the 74th minute, Karim Watambala made a sole effort through a forest of legs before his effort sailed inches wide of the goal post.

At the death of the game, Cromwell Rwothomio squeezed the ball on target from a tight angle but Mulabi was quick to guard his lines with a reflex save.

At full-time, Vipers sealed off a date with Big League side Police in the Uganda Cup final that will be played at Akii Bua, Lira on Saturday, June 3, 2021.

• Friday, May 26
• Adjumani TC 2(2)-1(2) Police

Police Football Club squeezed through to advance to the finals of the Uganda Cup even after falling to Adjumani Town Council on the road.

In a game played at Paridi Stadium, Police lost to Adjumani TC 2-1 in a thrilling encounter as the two sides fought for a spot in the finals.

Sadiq Nasoor and Basani Safi scored for the home side while Samuel Kayongo found the only but all-important goal for the Cops in the tight duel.

The Cops came into this game with a first-leg advantage of a narrow 1-0 win registered at their home at Kavumba Recreational Ground.

The visitors kicked off with the right rhythm to ensure they take command of the game.

The Cops came close after Joseph Sentume guided Jackson Ssemugabi’s corner narrowly wide after beating a number of bodies in the box.

The home side respond but custodian Davis Mutebi pulled off a stunning finger-tip save to matters at bay.

With a minute to play in the first stanza, Kayongo was in the right place to tap home Denis Kalanzi’s well-delivered cross to place the visitors in the driving seat.

Seven minutes into the second stanza, Adjumani received a penalty and Basani calmly scored from the spot to level matters.

Moments later, Police’s goalkeeping coach Faisal Kanene received matching orders for his discontent with what he termed as a controversial call from the centre referee.

Three minutes past an hour mark, Nasoor gave the home side a lead that light-up the home crowd.

Angelo Lonyesi made a double change later on introducing Abdulnoor Nsereko and Reagan Male but the score kept intact till the final whistle of the game.

This will be Police’s third Uganda Cup final after qualifying for that in the years 2000 and 2003 though they lost both.

Police will wait to play the winner between Vipers SC and Bright Stars after the climax of the two-legged show.

Though Vipers have an edge after registering a whopping 4-0 victory in the first leg.

 

Uganda Police Football Club will be on the road to face off with Adjumani Town Council in the second leg of the FUFA Uganda Cup semifinal.

The two wounded sides will be meeting in a highly anticipated duel as they battle for bragging rights to conclude the disappointing season on a high.

Police failed to mark a slot for top-tier (Uganda Premier League) football by a whisker while Adjumani sadly got relegated to the third tier (RegionalLeague).

Police command a 1-0 first-leg advantage but will face a real test as they seek to seal the assignment at Paridi Stadium in Adjumani.

“The current stumbling block in our way is Adjumani tomorrow,” Police head coach Angelo Lonyesi said.

“If we win tomorrow, we shall qualify for the final and let me assure you the moment we reach the final game we have the advantage,” he added.

Lonyesi is positive that in the finals they will have an advantage against Vipers who are a better side of the turf than the natural grass where the finals will be played.

“In the finals, we shall be on a neutral ground and I’m sure Vipers are through, they are more comfortable on the carpet than they are on natural grass so the favour is ours,” he concluded.

Police have previously played two Uganda Cup finals in 2000 and 2003 but have lost both.

Monday May 15, 2023

Uganda Cup | Results

Police FC 1-0 Adjumani TC

Herman Wasswa was fouled in the dangerous area and the centre referee awarded the Cops a penalty in the fifth minute.

In the seventh minute, Hassan Kikoyo stepped up and converted from the spot to give Police an early lead at home.

Benaldo Katerega went through a forest of legs in the box but failed to finish the spectacular move after his weak shot went straight to the goalkeeper’s gloves.

With seven minutes left on the clock, Reagan Male beat his marker before he laid a sweet cross in front of the goal but Wasswa headed it straight off the custodian’s chest and later tapped the rebound out.

As second half was looming, the visitors cried out for a penalty after Adjumani’s captain was fouled in the box as he attempted to shoot on goal but the referee waved away.

Angello Lonyesi’s troops wasted a number of chances which they may regret if the score does not go by their side in the second leg that will be played at Paridi Stadium in Adjumani.

“This tournament is hard. Our opponent was so tough and am glad we go with a lead home. They through bodies in defence and we struggled to widen the score,” Lonyesi said after the full-time whistle.

“They had a good game plan and that’s football you have to plan. So we shall go back and also plan so that we come with a plan that will ensure we also win at their home,” he added.

The Uganda Cup will continue as Vipers host Bright Stars at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Saturday.