Nsimbe turns to youngster
Erisa Sekisambu of Vipers (R) fights for the ball with Enyimba’s Emmanuel Anyanwa during the first leg of the 2016 Caf Champions League preliminary round at Nakivubo on February 12. Ssekisambu scored for Vipers in the 1-0 victory. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
What you need to know:
Soccer. Vipers coach George ‘Best’ Nsimbe is contemplating fielding youngster Alfred Leku against Enyimba this weekend following William Wadri’s injury.
Kampala. Vipers coach George ‘Best’ Nsimbe has revealed he is likely to turn to young forward Alfred Leku ahead of Sunday’s Caf Champions League preliminary round return leg against Nigerian side Enyimba.
This is after William Wadri was ruled out of the game. The more experienced Wadri is bedridden after undergoing a hernia operation.
His absence has reduced Nsimbe’s options upfront as Vipers seek to protect their 1-0 first leg win at Nakivubo close to a fortnight ago.
“The advantage of having him (Leku) is that he can he be played as a lone striker which offers a different option from what we have,” Nsimbe said yesterday. The towering forward, who is in Senior Five, was among three academy players that were drafted into the first team at the start of this season alongside Pius Wanji and Alex Komakech. Leku, 20, has yet to score in the league having made his debut in the goalless draw away to Sadolin Paints in December.
He, however, found the net nine times as St Mary’s Kitende won last year’s Copa Coca-cola Schools Championship in Hoima.
Other options
Leku was not named in the match-day squad for the first leg as Vipers front men Mike Mutyaba and Erisa Sekisambu struggled at times to cope with the physical Nigerian defenders. Brian Nkuubi, John Ssemazzi and Wanji will be the other options for Nsimbe, who was uncertain of the team’s departure to Nigeria.
Nsimbe will also be without Sadam Juma, who was not registered for the tournament as well as Shafiq Bakaki and goalkeeper Ismail Watenga, both recovering from injuries.
Enyimba will come into the game struggling for goals after settling for a goalless draw against Akwa United in their season curtain-raiser.
This was followed by Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Rivers United on matchday one of their domestic league.
PLAYING SATURDAY
Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round return leg at Nakivubo
SC Villa vs. Al Khartoum Watani (Sudan)
(Villa lead 1-0 after first leg)
PLAYING SUNDAY IN PORT HARCOURT
Enyimba (Nigeria) vs. Vipers
(Vipers lead 1-0 after first leg.
