It’s a must-win for Vipers SC 

Two wounded animals are set to clash on Saturday at St Mary’s Kitende stadium in Wakiso on February 25 in a match of high stakes between struggling sides where each is seeking a first victory in Group C of the Caf Champions League.

Uganda’s Vipers were on the receiving end of a 0-5 thrashing in Casablanca the other week but the Venoms showed better confidence levels in holding Horoya to a goalless stalemate last weekend.

Tanzania’s Simba SC, meanwhile, have no point to show in 180 minutes after losing comprehensively to Raja and Horoya.

Like Vipers, they haven’t scored a goal yet in the group and must rediscover their clinical touch in the final third to turn around their fortunes. Put simply, something has to give on Saturday. This is the stage Vipers have cherished for so long. For Simba, they pride themselves in being among Africa’s premier soccer clubs.

In fact either by accident or design, Simba made the daring move of prizing away Vipers coach Robertinho Oliveira. Whether it was to destabilise their Ugandan opponents or not, the move seems to have achieved the mission of tampering with Vipers’ preparations.

But Oliveira’s acquisition, it has to be acknowledged, is yet to transform Simba’s campaign on the continent. Berto Bianchi, the new boss at Vipers, is still getting to grips with his new team as evidenced by the club’s poor form in the Uganda Cup and Caf Champions League.

In the 360 minutes Bianchi has managed the Venoms (before the Wakiso Giants match yesterday in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League), the club is yet to score a goal. They needed post-match penalties to knock out lower division sides Bujumbura United and Jinja North in the rounds of 64 and 32 in the Uganda Cup.

And on the continent, Vipers have struggled to fashion palpable chances against quality opposition in Raja Casablanca and Horoya. Admittedly this is the first time Vipers side are competing at this level in the club’s history and the club’s struggles aren’t entirely unexpected.

Grouped with seasoned African sides like Raja and Horoya, Vipers were always going to be the least fancied team. But the club’s faithful will be expecting some fight and bite on Saturday.

Full-back Issa Mubiru is suspended after his send-off against Horoya while Marvin Youngman remains on the sidelines having returned for the Championship of African Nations in Algeria injured.

Simba in Kiswahili means Lion and by all accounts Vipers (snakes) will be up against a dangerous, hungry and angry animal.

Oliveira knows a thing or two about Vipers and his inside knowledge will unquestionably be useful for Simba, who too can kick-start their Champions League dream with victory. He knows all about Yunus Sentamu, Karim Watambala, Bright Anukani and Milton Karisa.

Simba’s hopes will rest on the shoulders of 33-year-old John Bocco, who likewise is struggling for form. Vipers’s Ivorian striker Desire Titty is still searching for his first goal while Karim Nduggwa is tied from the competition having represented BUL in the Caf Confederation Cup.

As it stands today, the teams fancied to go through in Group C are Raja and Horoya but stranger things have happened in football. A victory for Raja over Horoya and a Vipers’ upset of Simba would revitalise the chances of Bianchi’s team.

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Friday, Feb 24@7pm: Coton Sport v Al-Hilal

Saturday, Feb 25@7pm: Vipers v Simba ES Tunis v Zamalek

Saturday, Feb 25@10pm: Raja Casablanca v Horoya Al Ahly v Mamelodi Sundowns