How venomous can the tax collectors continue to be this season? This question and many in that perspective dominated the aftermath of what was dubbed by many as the top-of-the-table-clash. Of course, URA FC got the better of defending champions SC Vipers.
The Arena of Visions in Ndejje University on Saturday 13/03/2021 played host to a tie that has over the past years become key to the league. (URA FC against Vipers has become one of the biggest games of the season).
The disappointment however was the time schedule of this mouthwatering affair. The game in reality was played at 13:00 PM in the company of highly scorching sunlight that somewhat made it less desirable but never deprived us of the excitement and joy.
The tax collectors came into this game in better form than the opponents, in the quest for a 10th win of the season, and well aware that in our last 5 meetings with the day’s adversaries, we had won twice and lost twice. This game was more of a tie-breaker and we more than ever sought to deliver the win.
The gaffer named an offense-oriented side to encounter the opponents. The industrious Cromwel Rwothomio was to offer support upfront where Steven Mukwala was to take charge while the skipper was comfortable playing behind him.
The game was dull at its commencement with barely any shot at goal. (Fair to say both teams canceled out each other).
It would however take up to minute 37 for Ivan Sserubiri to force a magnificent save off Fabian Mutombora in the Vipers goal through his thunderbolt free-kick strike. The pressure was now building up at this juncture.
It was this pressure from URA FC that saw the skipper Shafik Kagimu exhibit a lot of composure and class to score our first goal of the evening. The strike was everything to admire from the team and just like that, half-time was summed up.
URA FC started the second half like a house on fire knowing that a single goal was never going to summarize the tie. That mindset got us flying with a second goal from Mukwala in the 59th minute.
In the realization that the tie was more or less done, Sam Ssimbwa made two substitutions that saw Micheal Birungi and Moses Sseruyidde come on for Ssali Davis and Sserubiri Ivan respectively.
URA FC continued to force the issue for the third with a narrow miss from Mukwala before Manzoki scored what later proved to be just a consolation for the visitors in the 73rd minute. The final whistle was blown to confirm that yet another franchise had managed to pay their taxes on time.
In his assessment of the game after the Full-time whistle, the gaffer was ecstatic and highlighted his happiness for the season.
“The boys did everything by the book. They managed to follow the instructions while giving more than 100%. This result is for our fans.”
URA FC now seats top of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League table with just a single game left to the conclusion of the first round. Fair to say that the second round comes with us seated on top of the table.