Vipers coach Neiva disagrees with referees about KCCA's second goal

Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC suffered an agonizing 3-1 defeat to nemesis KCCA FC on Friday under the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo floodlights.

Muhammad Shaban's brace and another from Usama Arafat condemned the Venoms to their maiden defeat this season.

Substitute Abubakar Lawal came through with the consolation at the death for yesterday's guests.

However, Vipers' head coach Leonard Martins Neiva wasn't convinced about whether Shaban's second goal should have counted.

Shaban struck, and goalkeeper Jack Komakech cleared the ball off the line before assistant referee Timothy Gumisiriza Karusigarira called it, despite centre referee Asadu Ssemere initially calling it otherwise.

"The second goal wasn't a goal," stressed a visibly disappointed Neiva to the press after the game.

"It was no goal; you can ask the referee because I don't want to talk too much about the referee," he added.

Meanwhile, Neiva praised his team's display and attitude on the night when they created but couldn't convert.

"It was a tough game for us, but you could see, our ball possession was big, but we suffered the first goal in the opening minute, and that disorganized us a lot."

"We tried and tried, but KCCA played well; they were clever. We played better, but nobody can forget about the results."

"We missed too many chances, but I can't criticize the players; we lose and win together, so we'll try again," Neiva added.

Despite the result, Vipers stayed third on the log with 14 points in seven matches and will host URA FC in the subsequent match on November 23.

KCCA, on the other hand, moved to 14th on the log with just four points in seven games. They will visit Busoga United in their next match.