Vipers score late in contested equalizer to share spoils with Express
Both fans and players for Express FC on Wednesday left Wankulukuku cursing the centre referee, Ronald Kirangwa for allowing Vipers SC's late minute equaliser that they said was scored from an offside position.
The Red Eagles took the lead when Tony Odur scored a penalty in the 28th minute after Ibrahim Kayiwa was brought down in the 18 yard box for the referee to point at the spot kick.
Odur made no mistake converting the spot kick for the six time champions to go into recess on top of the game.
Tito Okello celebrates Vipers's equaliser as Express players in the background protest the goal.
Vipers would have levelled matters at Wankulukuku but Dan Mzee Sserunkuuma’s spot kick went begging.
The hosts created a number of chances but Tony Odur and Michael Birungi were so wasteful on the day.
Contested equalizer
In the last minutes of the game, second half substitute Tito Okello controlled the ball before volleying past the Express goalkeeper for the team’s equalizer in what looked as one that was scored from an offside position and send mixed reactions among both teams.
As Vipers’ players celebrated the leveler, their Express counterparts on the other side sorounded the referee demanding he cancels the goal.
The home fans too protested against the goal and started booing the match officials but the latter stood their ground and pointed to the centre.
Teargas rocks Wankulukuku
Meanwhile, there were ugly scenes when anti- riot police fired teargas to disperse the angry Express supporters who wanted to lynch match officials in protest against what they termed as poor officiating.
It took the intervention of police led by the officer in charge of Nateete police station Muhammad Byansi to escort the officials as the angry fans hurled stones at them.
Express FC chairman Kiryowa Kiwanuka watches his boys play on Wednesday.
Speaking shortly after the game, Vipers’ coach Javier Martinez Espinosa said he was disappointed by both the result and performance.
“Today we were not good and we have to improve. I am not happy with both the performance and result,” Espinoza said.
The result means Vipers have now recorded three consecutive draws and lost six points in the past three games.
They are now 2nd on 14 points, a point below table leaders KCCA FC in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
On the other side, Express FC are still 5th on 12 points.
Uganda Premier League results
Express 1-1 Vipers
Police 2-1 Tooro United
Maroons 2-1 Onduparaka
Paidha 0-2 Mbarara City
