In his first match as Vipers SC head coach, Livingstone Mbabazi managed an impressive 4-1 victory over NEC FC in the Uganda Premier League on Wednesday at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
A first-half strike from Yunus Sentamu and a Fumador Asiwome hat-trick handed the Venoms their first victory in four matches.
Seven minutes later, NEC threatened and nearly led but Rwothomio’s brilliant header met a superb save from goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu.
The Venoms then broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, with Sentamu striking cleanly with an excellent pass from Allan Okello.
On the night, Vipers should have been ahead as early as the second minute, but the crossbar unluckily denied Milton Karisa from the edge of the box.
It should have been two for the hosts in the 30th minute, but John Paul Acire denied Sentamu from close quarters.
Two minutes later, NEC levelled matters with Rwothomio striking a low-drive past Kiggundu after latching on a pass from Allan Mugalu.
Nine minutes after the restart, Ghanaian forward Asiwome made it two for Vipers, heading in a brilliant Karisa cross.
Six minutes after the hour-mark, Asiwome made it three and his second, tapping in a superb Karim Watambala pass from the left.
Asiwome then completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute with a thumping header after a Bright Anukani freekick.
Vipers are now second with 27 points, five adrift of leaders BUL FC. The former will host Busoga United on Sunday in their next match.
Meanwhile, NEC are now seventh on the log with 21 points and will take on Arua Hill SC on Saturday for their subsequent game.
