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Gaddafi's spirited fight was not enough as Vipers skinned a 2-1 result to start their title defence with a win at the Gaddafi Arena in Jinja.
The Soldier Boys dominated much of the proceedings, creating tonnes of chances but Benson Muhindo and Johnson Odongo wasted them.
On the other end, Vipers used their two half-chances in the first half to win the game with Milton Karisa unlocking the game in the 27th minute.
Yunus Ssentamu traded passes with Lumala up the left wing, then dinked a pass to Karisa to flick over Najib Tusaba before cooly slotting in for the opener.
Mohammed Salem doubled the lead in the 41st, slashing in from a rebound after Gaddafi’s goalkeeper Denis Ochieng failed to grip on Bright Anukani's shot.
Yunus Ssentamu almost added the third at the death of the half after pacing through the right wing before releasing a ferocious shot, but Ochieng flew high to keep it out.
Gaddafi pulled one back in the 55th minute through a Benson Muhindo penalty kick.
Rogers Torach had clumsily pushed down Amos Kirya in the box while preparing to go for an aerial battle.
Jack Komakech had guessed the right direction but Muhindo put enough power behind the kick.
The hosts thought they had pulled level in the 90th minute but their celebration was cut shot by the first assistant's flag.
Mohammed Nsereko picked an easy one-two with Kirya and then went for goal with his shot taking a deflection on Ronald Nsumbianobwho was inches off.
Gaddafi XI - Denis Ochieng, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Najib Tusaba, Sharifu Ssengendo, Rashid Mukungu, Rashid Mpata, Amos Kirya, Johnson Odongo, Thomas Ochungo, Benson Muhindo, Douglas Bithum
Vipers SC XI - Jack Komakech, Milton Karisa, Murushid Jjuuko, Siraje Sentamu, Mohamed Salem, Yunus Ssentamu, Ashraf Mandela, Abdu Lumala, Isa Mubiru, Rogers Torach
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