FOOTBALL Live Updates: Uganda Cup final; Vipers win maiden domestic double

Vipers SC became the fourth Ugandan club to win a domestic double, joining KCCA FC, SC Villa and Express FC who have achieved the feat before

FT: Police FC 0-1Vipers

Yunus Ssentamu is a Salongo

Hillary Mukundane is a Salongo

Best Defender: Ashraf Mandela - Vipers 

Best Midfielder: Diego Ssemugerwa - Police FC

Goalkeeper of the tournament: Fabian Mutombora

Man of the match: Milton kariisa - Vipers 

I told you it was going to be a tough game, Vipers is a good side but we prooved to them that we are also a good side - Police caoch Angelo Lonyesi 

It is God, I am stronger believer, God got us here, I am bleesed, God loves and people need to know that - Vipers head caoch Alex isabirye

Seventh Uganda Cup final and title number three for Vipers, but this one is special because it seals their status as the Ssalongo's of Uganan football after they won the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. 

Vipers Alex isabirye joins Polly Ouma - SC Villa (1986), Geoff Hudson - SC Villa (1988, 1989), Jimmy Muguwa - Express (1995), Paul Hasule - SC Villa (1998, 2000), Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic - SC Villa ( 2022) and Mike Mutebi - KCCA (2017) as the coaches to win a domestic double in Uganda

Shafic Kiyaga reporting live from Lira 

You have to admire Police organisation, but are the cracks starting to show?? Police FC have been impressive in this game. Their organisation has taken them this far, and they are still very much in the game, scoring 1-0. But Lonyesi should remind his players not to ease off especially going into a crucial stage of the game. Unfortunately, however, they are starting to show signs of slacking off. Vipers has now had two glorious opportunities to put the score beyond them, and they have goalkeeper Davis Mutebi to thank, denying Ndugwa and then Karisa in succession. And the defenders should have done better on both occasions.

80' Both sets of players have had to endure the hard, bumpy surface and the scorching sun at the Akii Bua Stadium 

75' Davies with a big save to deny Milton Kariisa but also keeps Police in the game with less than 15 minutes to play

70' Vipers are 20 minutes away from a first-ever domestic double 

65' karim Nduggwa almost doubles Vipers lead but Davies Mutebi in the Police goal was up to the task 

60' At the hour mark and Vipers are still holding onto Milton Kariisa's first half goal 

55' There is no doubt that Police have expressed themselves better than Vipers, but that won't matter if they can't turn it into goals

Shafic Kiyaga reporting live from Lira 

What should be the message from the halftime break? 

For Police FC coach Angelo Lonyesi, he should be proud of his lads. They are the underdogs for this final but have played themselves proud today. They have looked the better side in terms of applying what they set out to do. More of the same, and they should give themselves a chance. For Vipers SC coach Alex Isabirye, the goal obviously should be extending their advantage in the game. They may not have explicitly looked on top as they were billed to be, but the scoreline is in their favour, and that is the only statistic that will matter in the end.

46' Another near opportunity for Police from Herman Wasswa but he misses the target 

45' back for the second half, Vipers introduce Karim Nduggwa for Abubaker Lawal 

HT: Milton Kariisa gave Vipers the lead, headed home unmarked off a Bright Anukani corner 

43' Police playing like they know Vipers' defence is under pressure. They are looking for a breakthrough but are yet to find any. 

35' There is no doubt that Vipers' defence and goalkeeper Fabian Mutombora have to up their communication. They might get punished 

33' Timothy Muwanguzi has tried to Keep Police's midfield in shape against a Bright Anukani who has been in fine form lately. 

30' Police pushing for an equaliser, but Vipers have been able to tame them sofar

Shafic Kiyaga reporting live from Lira 

Torach should be streetwise against Wasswa

What is interesting about this final is that there are critical battles all over. Rogers Torach against Herman Wasswa is one to look out for—a classic battle between Novice and an experienced head. Wasswa has pulled out one of his old tricks against the young head of Torach, and that should be a proper warning to the young defender that if you snooze, you lose. Wasswa catches him in possession and sends through Emmanuel Mugume, who should have buried that, and his reaction says it all. I should have gone for placement, not power.

27' Vipers have now scored ten goals in the Stanbic Uganda Cup this season to Police's 8

Shafic Kiyaga reporting live from Lira 

Kayongo will have a mouthful and plenty more on his hands 

Samuel Kayongo has a significant accomplishment as he faces the challenging task of stopping the midfield duo of Bright Anukani and AbdulKarim Watambala. Anukani, with his cleverness and ability to exploit spaces, is a constant threat on the move. Watambala, on the other hand, brings relentless energy and pace to his game, Playing the game at 100kph always. While Kayongo is a seasoned player who has encountered such challenges during his time at Police, it will be crucial for Timothy Muwanguzi, playing in a slightly advanced role, to be called upon to help neutralize this formidable midfield threat. What sets Anukani and Watambala apart is their growing belief in their ability to play together effectively. Kayongo's success in this midfield battle will be pivotal for his team's chances in the final.

Milton Kariisa has been Vipers' best player this season, and he has carried the team with desire and character

Shafic Kiyaga reporting live from Lira

How many times have we seen that? 

With a clever little dash to the near post, Milton Karisa finds himself in space and plants his header into the back of the net. The Cops were caught entirely napping there. It looked like the defenders had him, but it all unravelled so quickly against them. And with Abubakar Lawal and Yunus Ssentamu on the pitch, the Police have to be on top of their game while defending set pieces. At least we have seen that Vipers' major threat will be through the set pieces.

GOAL: 15' Milton Kariisa gives Vipers the lead here. They are in the driving seat

12' Emmanuel Mugume with the first realistic chance of the game but fails to beat Fabian Mutombora in Vipers' goals

10' Alex Isabirye hopes to make history with Vipers SC but also, on a personal note, he wants to retain the title after winning it BUL last season. 

6' Yet to get any scares from both sides, but it is Vipers asking Police all the questions here, and we can say the Cops have all the answers so far. 

3' The playing surface at the Akii Bua Stadium might just deny us an opportunity of watching two teams expressing themselves. 

1' underway in Lira

Shafic Kiyaga reporting live from Lira 

Shafic Kiyaga reporting live from Lira The Uganda Cup final between Vipers SC and Police FC at the Akii Bua Stadium in Lira presents an exciting spectacle. However, the atmosphere within the stadium needs to have the enthusiasm one would expect from such a prestigious cup final. Unlike previous editions witnessed in places like Masindi, Lira has missed out on fully embracing the opportunity to host this event. Taking a stroll through the town, it is business as usual, with no noticeable signs of excitement or anticipation for the upcoming match. As kickoff draws near, the fans are yet to make their presence felt. Only a few red Vipers jerseys can be spotted inside the stadium, suggesting a need for more fan support for both teams. However, there is a glimmer of hope outside the stadium, where a band is present, ready to infuse much-needed energy into the event. They could inspire the fans to rally behind their respective teams and inject the passion that seems to be missing. While the atmosphere within the stadium may be lacking, the presence of the band outside offers a potential catalyst for a more vibrant and engaging Uganda Cup final experience in Lira.

Will Milton Kariisa become the first Vipers captain to win the domestic double? 

Warm-ups underway 

One of Police or Vipers will be lifting this by the end of today at the Akii Bua Stadium in Lira

Police FC's starting XI against Vipers in their attempt to win their first cup title 

Vipers starting XI against Police on their quest for a maiden domestic double 

Akii Bua Stadium, the venue for the 2023 Stanbic Uganda Cup final between Vipers SC and Police FC

The last team to win the Uganda Cup; BUL, defeated Vipers 3-1 in the final that was played in Masindi

2021, the last time Vipers SC won the Uganda Cup, they defeated BUL 8-1 in a one-sided affair at the FUFA Techincal Centre in Njeru

Paul Edwin Hasule won the double twice with SC Villa, first in 1998 and later in 2000. He joined Briton Geoff Hudson, the other SC Villa manager, to win the image twice, in 1988 and 1989

Mike Mutebi is the last coach to win a domestic double, and he achieved the feat in 2017 with KCCA FC. The team won the league with a gap of six points ahead of runners-up SC Villa and then brushed a side Paidha Blacks Angel 2-0 in the Uganda Cup final in Arua.

We go to Lira happy that we have qualified but we don't expect the final to be easy for us," said Vipers head coach Alex Isabirye after the 1-0 defeat to Police at Kavumba

The Cops have not been very convincing for a finalist, especially considering that the only topflight side they faced was the holders BUL FC who have been relatively poor in the second round - Fred Mwambu

To be honest, Vipers are the best team that has played in the Uganda Cup this season, but I need to add that “they have been the best among averages”, and in some cases, luck fell their way. - Fred Mwambu

Vipers SC have played six Uganda Cup finals, winning just twice, in 2015–16 against Onduparaka at Nakivubo and in 2021 against BUL in Jinja. 

This will be only the second time that Police plays the final game of this competition, losing their only previous final 3-1 to Express in 2003.