Lack of coach, plea for rest keep Vipers away from Super 8 event
No Budget? League champions Vipers have opted to stay away from the new Pilsner Super 8 event. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
KYAMBOGO- Reigning Azam Uganda Premier League champions Vipers’ decision not to take part in the Pilsner Super 8 is down to many factors including not having a coach, the players needing to rest and timing.
The club’s head of communications Abdu Wasike told Daily Monitor yesterday that the club chose against the tournament this weekend as “it wasn’t convenient” at all levels.
“First of all, our players needed to rest,” Wasike said. Vipers recently took part in the regional Cecafa Kagame Club Cup where they reached the quarterfinals, losing to Kenya’s Gor Mahia.
In the aftermath of that, Portuguese coach Miguel Da Costa was sacked and no replacement has been named yet. “There is no coach at the moment,” Wasike added.
In the previous decade, whenever the club boss Lawrence Mulindwa has sacked coaches, Edward Golola, who has been Da Costa’s assistant, has been elevated to head coach. Upon an appointment, he is conveniently ‘demoted’. Early indications are that this will not be the case this time with sources telling us that a new coach will be named this week.
The Pilsner Super 8 was only announced last month and will demand that clubs spend more than they had planned.
It is intended to be a precursor to the 2018/19 season with the top six teams from last season and the two Fufa Big League finalists from last season being eligible.
Bul, who finished seventh last season, replaced Vipers with KCCA, SC Villa, Onduparaka, Kirinya-Jinja SSS and Police being the others. Newly-promoted Nyamityobora and Ndejje complete the draw.
“We didn’t have the tournament in our plans and didn’t budget for it,” Wasike explained further.
Ordinarily, Ugandan clubs do not have lengthy pre-season schedules. Many, often play teams within their vicinity.
Something like the Pilsner Super 8 whose winner will receive Shs10m, demands that all clubs will spend on something they hardly wanted.
On the other hand, Vipers, like all Ugandan clubs, have had a high turnover since winning the league in May. As many as eight players have joined and getting a run-out could have been crucial.
Nevertheless, their St Mary’s Stadium is undergoing a makeover.
PILSNER SUPER 8 CUP
August 4, 2018
KCCA vs. BUL
Star Times Stadium, Lugogo
Other Games:
SC Villa Jogoo vs. Police
Ndejje vs. Onduparaka
Nyamityobora vs. Kirinya- Jinja SSS
Total package: Shs90m
Prize money: Shs30m
