When BUL battered Vipers to deny them League and Cup double

Karim Nduggwa (R) scored a brace as BUL beat Vipers in the Uganda Cup final last year /COURTESY PICTURE

UGANDA CUP When BUL battered Vipers to deny them League and Cup double

Ndyamuhaki J Emanzi 08:59 - 02.06.2023

Ndugwa, who has since crossed to Vipers, put BUL in the lead in the 28th minute of the game, and Okech doubled this three minutes later to put Vipers in a tricky situation.

Vipers SC will be looking to complete a League and Cup double when they face Police in the Uganda Cup Final in Lira on Saturday.

Having already landed the Startimes Uganda Premier League title, Vipers and a first-ever double are now separated by 90 minutes of action.

But how did the Venoms perform the last time they were in a position like this?

Well, in June last year, Vipers fell 3-1 to Alex Isabirye’s BUL FC in Masindi to miss out on a first double.

BUL had made the final for the second year running and had a bone to pick with Vipers following an 8-1 demolition by the Kitende side in 2021.

Karim Ndugwa scored a brace for the Jinja-based side, while Simon Peter Oketch added the other to complete the job.

Vipers’ goal on the day came from the then skipper Halid Lwaliwa, but it only turned out to be a mere consolation.

Ndugwa, who has since crossed to Vipers, put BUL in the lead in the 28th minute of the game, and Okech doubled this three minutes later to put Vipers in a tricky situation.

Vipers right back Paul Willa was stretchered off injured early in the first half and replaced by Musa Ssali.

After the break, Vipers were searching for a goal to get back in the game, but it was BUL celebrating eight minutes into the second half.

Reagan Kalyowa set up Nduggwa for an easy tap-in to send BUL fans into delirium and stun Vipers.

Not even the introduction of Paul Mucureezi, Bright Anukani and Frank Tumwesigye by then head coach Roberto Oliviera could inspire a complete comeback.

Lwaliwa headed in Anukani’s free kick in the 71st minute, but there was no coming back as time ran out with BUL leading 3-1.

It was the third time Isabirye was beating Vipers in the Uganda Cup final, having done it with URA in 2012 and SC Victoria University in 2014.

Isabirye will now be looking to become the first manager to win a double for Vipers.