Vipers SC will look to get their Uganda Premier League campaign back on track when they host newcomers Ntugasaze FC on Saturday at 8pm at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
The Venoms lost their opening game 1-0 to Entebbe UPPC, with Kevin Da Sylva Bady scoring an own goal. Their subsequent matches against Kataka and Kigezi HomeBoyz were postponed due to their CAF Champions League commitments.
However, their continental campaign ended at the first hurdle after they were eliminated by Mauritanian side FC Nouadhibou on the away-goals rule. The two sides drew 1-1 in Kitende before playing out a goalless draw in the return leg.
With their continental ambitions already over, Vipers will now turn their attention to defending their league title, knowing that there is little room for further slip-ups.
New head coach Denis Lavagne will also be under pressure after failing to deliver the club’s primary objective of reaching the CAF Champions League group stage.
His predecessor, Ivan Minnaert, was sacked at the end of last season despite winning the league title, having also failed to guide the club into the group stages.
With new signings including Cesar Manzoki, Farouk Miya, Nicholas Mwere, Loyce Mbaba and Joel Sserunjogi, among others, Vipers boast a squad that will be expected to compete for the title.
Despite their shaky start against Entebbe UPPC, the Kitende-based side will fancy their chances against Ntugasaze.
The newcomers, meanwhile, have endured a difficult introduction to top-flight football, losing all three of their opening matches against BUL, Maroons and Blacks Power.
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