• Vipers SC 3-0 Iganga Young
Stanbic Uganda Cup holders Vipers Sports Club made work easier, after eliminating regional league entity Iganga Young 3-0 to advance to the Quarterfinals of the 50th edition on Wednesday.
Midfielder Abdul Karim Watambala scored a first half penalty that was followed by Mohamed Salem Ekbad and substitute Fazil Tumwine strikes at the St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
Notably, the Venoms cruised to an emphatic win minus head coach Charles Livingstone Mbabazi, who has been away from club duties since the team’s 1-all draw with Soltilo Bright Stars in the league action.
It was later revealed that the coach has been down through malaria.
Vipers took the lead after 32 minutes through Karim Watambala, who converted a penalty following a foul on Ghanaian forward Fumador Asiwome in the forbidden area.
Five minutes into the second stanza, Salem Ekbad doubled Vipers’ advantage with a well-guided curler, making Asiwome’s pass count. The Ghanaian had tamed an intended pass in the box before setting up Ekbad for the second.
In the 72nd minute, Watambala turned provider for the third goal, when his ground delivery fell on the boots of second half substitute Tumwine, who opened his Vipers’ account with a simple tap-in from the point-blank-range.
Vipers now join Kitara, Police, KCCA, NEC, Pajule Lions and BUL FC, that have already booked slots in the last eight.
The Stanbic Uganda Cup round of 16 will come to climax this Thursday, as Dove FC plays host to Packwach Young Stars at the Katushabe Playground in Masindi.