Vipers Junior Team and Prosper Soccer Academy made a brilliant start to the 2022/23 FUFA Juniors League National finals with victory in their respective games as the tournament got underway on Monday at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
The Junior Venoms fought hard to overcome resilient Mbarara Sports Academy while Prosper Soccer Academy were ruthless against Friends of Soccer.
In the opening game of the tournament, Kampala Region Champions Prosper Soccer Academy showed their intent by winning 3-1.
Yusuf Ssempenja scored twice while Omar Muzungu Diarra got the other goal for Prosper Soccer Academy.
Mbarara Sports Academy got their consolation through winger Samuel Asiimwe.
It was Muzungu who opened the scores in the 14th minute and a minute later, Ssempenja doubled the lead for Prosper.
Ssempenja got his second on the day and Prosper’s third in the 71st, converting from the spot before Asiimwe pulled one back for the Kitara Region Champions, two minutes from time.
Victory took Prosper top of the table with four points. It should be noted that any win with a goal margin of 2+ comes with a bonus point.
In the final game of the day, Vipers Junior Team needed to dig deep to overcome Mbarara Sports Academy.
It took Vipers 31 minutes to find the outlet thanks to Farouk Tumwesigye’s run on the left wing before Reagan Ssekisambu tapped home from close range.
After recess, Mbarara Sports Academy returned a rejuvenated side and levelled matters through left back Uthman Kaaya two minutes after the hour mark.
Vipers however regained their lead thanks to a goal from second half substitute Frank Ssekajanko.
Action will resume on Tuesday with two fixtures on card. Vipers Junior Team will face wounded Friends of Soccer in the early kickoff before BUL FC Junior Team take on Mbarara Sports Academy.
It should be noted that the National finals have five regional Champions contending for the overall title with games played on a round robbin format.
