When Vipers SC play South Africa’s Platinum Stars in the Caf Confederation Cup tomorrow, the spectacle of the new stadium hosting its first game will be the talking point, writes JOHN VIANNEY NSIMBE.
The last few days at Vipers SC have been capped by the acquisition of a two-year Shs 500 million sponsorship deal from Roofings group and the unveiling of a new coach Miguel Duarte on a three-year deal. Now, what beckons is the official opening of their stadium tomorrow, as it hosts its first official match.
However, with it will be the added impetus for Vipers to make the beginning of life at the St Mary’s stadium a winning one. That is what Duarte has been emphasizing since taking over this week: “We have to try our best to win at home, if we are to stay in this competition long.”
The Portuguese coach appreciates how important it is to make home advantage count. While he contended with the fact that Platinum Stars are from a footballing country, they are a normal team his charges must not fear.
The impact of Duarte, as the anticipation to play in their own home is palpable. Vipers players have been working pretty hard in training like their lives depend on this match. But the tactical input from Duarte has appeared to get them geared, as belief is heightened.
Midfielder Deus Bukenya, scorer of Vipers’ goal against Volcan Club de Moroni in Comoros, said everyone is looking forward to the game. “Although it is still too early to judge the new coach, his words are inspiring. We know we can knock out Platinum Stars.”
That is a big statement from a player whose team has been struggling. But Bukenya said that in their last two games, Duarte’s assistants (Richard Wasswa and Edward Golola) had found a solution to the scoring problem, that saw them fire blanks in three of four games.
But since then, Vipers have scored four goals in two competitive games. And Bukenya believes they are getting back to their best, although scoring against Bul FC and the competition on the continent differ distinctly. This needs special preparation, as the detailed attacking training sessions by Duarte have told.
Platinum Stars arrive in the country tonight on the back of a 2-0 league win over Golden Arrows. Furthermore, in the previous round of their Caf campaign, they beat Mozambique’s Uniao do Songo 2-0 on aggregate, winning both home and away.
Therefore, they come in with a big reputation of defying the odds. But Vipers has also never lost at home, which gives them a good launchpad heading into this encounter. Meanwhile, KCCA FC manager Mike Mutebi almost sounded cocky in his press briefing before they flew out to South Africa on Tuesday. He said that although Sundowns enjoyed the experience of being African champions, playing them was his team’s biggest motivation.
Mutebi said: “Although Sundowns are a good team, we are going to ensure that we impose our style, and ensure that it gets us the result we need. Our aim is to try and win the game.”
His captain, Dennis Okot, said that to be the best, one has to beat the best. And the best in this case is Sundowns, and KCCA aims to have a go at them, to fulfill their ultimate goal of qualifying for the lucrative Caf Champions League group stages.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Friday@8pm:
Sundowns v KCCA
CAF CONFEDERATIONS CUP
Saturday@4pm:
Vipers v Platinum Stars
jovi@observer.ug