CAF Champions League Preliminary round 1st leg
Friday February 12, 2016
Vipers SC (Uganda) Vs Enyimba FC (Nigeria) – Nakivubo @ 4pm
Reigning league champions Vipers SC begin the quest for continental crowns as well as life without talisman Farouk Miya with a testing date against Nigeria’s Enyimba FC.
The Venoms host the two times African champions at Nakivubo in the first leg of the continent’s most lucrative tournament on Friday afternoon in a game that marks Nsimbe’s debut as well as the first competitive game since the club announced Miya will be joining Standard Liege.
Returning midfielder Mike Mutyaba says they will have to play as a team and believes a Miya heir is within in the team.
“No doubt about the team missing Miya,” he stated. “But we must forget about him, play as a unit and from within us, we can find who fills the void,” he added.
Mutyaba alongside William Wadri are the only two players in the Vipers team that have ever played champions league football and he thinks his experience will be vital.
“In games of such magnitude, you need to stay calm. Defend and attack as a team and no need to panic.”
Nsimbe debut
Inside his mind, he knows he was signed for fixtures like this following his good showings while at KCCA and Victors FC.
Although the group stages of the continental competitions, Nsimbe nearly led Kasasiro to the promised Land but was stopped at the round of 16 by Nigeria’s Bayelsa United 5-3 on aggregate in 2009.
Best as famously known is adamant the experience attained from coaching continental games will be key.
“I will use the experience I have and work together with coach Edward Golola and others to make it possible to reach next stage,” he stated.
He however admitted little knowledge about the opponent. “I must admit there is little I know about Enyimba but have watched some of their videos. They are good side but we aren’t bad either.”
Key Players
In the absence of talismanic Miya, Vipers SC will hope Mutyaba, Saddam Ibrahim Juma, Keziron Kizito and Erisa Ssekisambu whose experience playing for Uganda Cranes will be vital.
Enyimba FC won the CAF Champions League 2003 and 2004 and rank among the biggest on the continent.
Vipers SC XI
James Alitho (GK), Nicholas Wadada (C), Dan Birikwalira, Yusuf Mukisa, Musa Malunda, Deus Bukenya, Ibrahim Saddam Juma, Keziron Kizito, Erias Ssekisambu, Mike Mutyaba, and William Wadri.