Vipers target perfect start
Vipres’ Brian Nkuubi (R) and David Owor vie for the ball during training on Tuesday. Nkuubi is in contention to feature in the return leg in South Africa. File photo
Kampala- Vipers make their continental debut today against Nigerian side Enyimba in the first of the two-legged Caf Champions League preliminary round at Nakivubo.
The game though comes five years after it should have happened, Vipers having voted against taking part in the 2011 edition after winning the domestic title the previous season.
Three players remain from that 2010 squad; captain Nicholas Wadada, Mike Mutyaba as well as midfielder Sadam Juma.
The trio and their teammates must perform exceptionally if Vipers are to secure the advantage going into the second leg.
Mutyaba is the most experienced of the trio at this level having also previously featured for Sudan’s El Merreikh and current champions TP Mazembe from DR Congo.
But after a lengthy period on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, Mutyaba who is in his third stint at the Vipers having played for Express in the first round, is no longer the club’s go-to man.
In absence of the Standard Liege-bound Farouk Miya, Erisa Sekisambu is the player coach George Nsimbe will look to for goals.
Signed from SC Villa after scoring nine league goals last season, the player is the club’s leading scorer this season having already scored eight times in the league at the half way point.
“Sekisambu, Keziron Kizito and Mutyaba have got enough experience to guide the rest,” Nsimbe stated this week.
New coach Nsimbe, who has previously handled KCCA in the same competition should also have William Wadri in the match-day squad, the other player alongside Ssekisambu and Mutyaba to have played on the continent.
In terms of pedigree, however, Vipers are miles behind their opponents, who won the tournament in 2003 and 2004. Enyimba’s most recent appearances haven’t been very impressive though as they were eliminated at the first round stage in each of the previous two editions.
Probable starting line-up
James Alitho, Nicholas Wadada, Dan Bilikwalira,Musa Malunda, Yusuf Mukisa, Patrick Ssembuya, Deus Bukenya, Mike Mutyaba, Keziron Kizito, John Ssemazzi, Erisa Sekisambu.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
TODAY AT NAKIVUBO, 4PM
Vipers vs. Enyimba
TICKETS: open stands-Shs5000; pavilion and covered stands-Shs10,000
Return leg: February 27
CAF CONFEDERATIONS CUP
PLAYING TOMORROW
Al Khartoum vs. SC Villa
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