Smarting from last weekend’s 0-1 loss to Entebbe UPPC in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, Vipers SC begin their Caf Champions League campaign this Saturday, September 5 against Mauritanian side, Nouadhibou FC.
The St Mary’s stadium in Kitende is expected to be buzzing for this clash, as Vipers aim to get off to a winning start; the kind that could set them on a path to qualifying for the lucrative group stages of the tournament.
However, for Vipers to realize their main objective, a good squad is of the essence. But have they assembled one for French coach Denis Lavagne? By and large, Vipers have been busy during this transfer window, bringing in a range of players to address the gaps the team had in whatever department.
Following the realization that their Congolese goalkeeper for the last four years, Alfred Mudekereza was not as reliable a shot-stopper anymore, something that coincided with the long injury layoff in the early parts of 2025, his contract was not renewed.
In addition, Mudekereza was not as young clearly, a fact that affected his overall reflexes. Yet, to fully trust his understudies, like Jack Komakech and Dennis Kiggundu, did not actually appear to give Vipers so much confidence, considering the pressure of playing on the continent.
As such, the club brought in Gabonese international, Loyce Mbaba. While Mbaba may not be a household name around these parts, his background reads that he has had international experience representing his country.
With such a profile, he fits the bill to help Vipers succeed. One will remember how Mudekereza helped Vipers knock out TP Mazembe in October 2022, and advance to the group stages of the Caf Champions League.
Mudekereza’s heroics, especially in the return leg in Lubumbashi were perhaps fitting for him to have earned a bronze statue in Kitende. Apart from the impressive saves that kept the game goalless after regulation time, Mudekereza helped Vipers beat TP Mazembe 4-2 in the shoot-out.
Similar exploits will be expected of Mbaba for Vipers to remain in the competition. But at the same time, having a solid backline is a given. Vipers have added Nigerian defender Princewill Biweribo to Congolese Kevin Dasylva.
This is perhaps a sign that they learnt from the defensive mistakes that cost them against Power Dynamos of Zambia in the first leg at Kitende, which they lost 1-2. But with all said and done, while good defending wins championships, overall, Vipers need a dynamic midfield and a sharp attack.
Farouk Miya has proved to be a natural goalscorer, and like he showed during Vipers Cecafa campaign in which he scored two goals in three games, he is expected to boost the Venoms’ attack.
It is expected that the return of striker Caesar Manzoki is a good decision. However, the fact that he is not yet fit enough to start games, defeats the purpose of his return. Yet, it goes without saying, that with Manzoki’s height and athleticism, he is a forward that should be handy for Lavagne’s squad, just like Joel Sserunjogi, Vipers’ new midfield signing from KCCA FC.
Sserunjogi comes with a reputation of controlling the midfield through his good ball keeping skills. But this is going to be the first time he plays a club continental game. How this compares to his Africa Nations Championship (Chan) experience last year, will be the question.
Yet, what Sserunjogi has is a good passing range and tactical discipline to protect his defence. With other midfielders like Karim Watambala, last season’s best player in the Uganda Premier League, Enock Ssebaggala, and Marvin Youngman, there is a hardworking midfield at Vipers.
But More crucially, the midfield will need to be enterprising and creative in making the strikers useful. Furthermore, Lavagne has an exciting attacker in the Nigerian Odili Chukwuma.
The small forward has so much space to worry defenders, but also the wizardry to unlock defences, create chances and score them. Odili looks like a real gem, that would remind you of former Nigerian winger, Tijani Babangida.
Add Milton Karisa and Yunus Ssentamu, and the ever rising youngster, Gusto Mulongo, and Vipers have a squad as good as they have had, heading into the continent. Last year, Vipers did well in the first round, beating Namibia’s African Stars 2-0 on aggregate, following identical 1-0 scorelines both home and away.
Similarly, Nouadhibou beat Equatorial Guinea’s Fundacion Bata 2-0 at home, following a goalless first leg. Unfortunately, Nouadhibou lost their second round encounter 3-1 on aggregate to Stade Malien.
There seems to be little to separate Vipers from Nouadhibou. That should make for a close and interesting clash. But for Vipers, particularly, they have a new coach, who is still trying out new things.
He wants his team to be possessionbased. But at the same time, not to depend on individual brilliance, but the system set, to win games naturally. However, changing players to a new approach messed up Vipers’ Caf campaign last year.
It could yet again be the club’s biggest undoing because it is too short a time to instill new ideas and the players get them in a short time. At the same time, the players must buy into Lavagne’s ideas, which have already suffered setbacks, with the last one being the 0-1 loss at home in Vipers league opener against Entebbe UPPC on August 28.