Vipers’ elimination of the five-time Caf Champions League winners was a landmark result. Not only was this their first time to eject a giant side on the continent, it also breathed a new life in the side whose chances had already been written off by some pundits prior to the tie.
In ejecting Mazembe, Vipers have become the second club after KCCA to qualify for the Africa Champions League group stage. Personally, I believe the key to ending that jinx had a lot to do with the club’s vision mooted by the top management headed by success-hungry club President Dr Lawrence Mulindwa. It’s Mulindwa who mooted the idea of engaging coach Roberto Oliviera, who has inculcated a mental toughness to the players.
Since his arrival in Uganda on August 27, 2021, the Brazilian won the 2021 Uganda Cup and guided Vipers to the 2021/22 league title. In winning the league, Vipers’s 18 points ahead of second-placed KCCA set a record of the biggest margin.
While unveiling the Brazilian tactician in 2021, Mulindwa did not mince words. He said the club had appointed a coach who `fits the team’s philosophy’ and he had hope Oliviera will help the club to achieve their ambitions to be a force on the continent.
So far, so good. This season alone, Vipers have beefed up the team with top players like Abdu Lumala, Murshid Jjuuko, Abubaker Lawal, Ashraf Mandela, Cromwell Rwothomio and Osomba Omajondo, among others.
To pave way for the new players, the club sold five of its stars to foreign sides. This earned the team good money. These include skipper Halid Lwaliwa, Cesar Manzoki, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Azizi Kayondo and Richard Basangwa, among others.
Vipers also stands to get at least $550,000 (Shs 2.1bn) for reaching the group phase. The atmosphere at St Mary’s stadium is enough to show you the seriousness of the owners of Vipers. Currently, Vipers is the most supported club locally.
The club have built its fan base from students of St Mary’s Kitende SS and football fans along Entebbe road. Originally, the club was depending on the huge pockets of Mulindwa but the arrival of corporate sponsorship from Hima Cement, Kansai Plascon and dfcu bank and selling of players has removed the financial burden from him.
Looking back at the club’s illustrious record in recent years in which they won five league titles (2010, 2015, 2018, 2020 and 2022) and two Uganda Cups (2016 and 2021), it is safe to put Vipers in the mix of traditional giants. This is the league of SC Villa, KCCA, Express and Simba FC.
UGANDAN PRIDE
It is times like these that Ugandans need to put aside club differences and support Vipers’ continental campaign. Many may not know that some countries field more than one team in the continent’s premier competitions due to their high coefficient in rank.
So, a fairytale run for Vipers on the continent improves Uganda’s coefficience and increases our chances of fielding two teams in the next few seasons.
Congratulations Venoms!
inarticle} inarticle}
