Vipers defender, Shafik Bakaki and goalkeeper, Ismail Watenga who have been sidelined with knee and groin injuries respectively are close to returning.
Watenga suffered a groin injury during Uganda Cranes’ 2-2 draw with Mali in the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda last month and had since not trained with the team.
Bakaki limped out of training with a knee problem and missed a couple of mid-season friendly matches as well as the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round tie with Enyimba at Nakivubo which Vipers won 1-0.
However, the pair returned to the team’s training on monday and did some light training separately under close watch of Vipers’ doctor, Mike Lule who there after told the club website;
THEY ARE STILL ON THEIR WAY TO RECOVERY BUT ARE RESPONDING WELL TO THE PHYSICAL EXERCISE. WE HOPE IN A FEW DAYS TIME THE PAIR WILL HAVE GAINED FULL FITNESS.
Head coach George ‘Best’ Nsimbe was delighted to see the players back to training and is optimistic both could be available for the return leg against Enyimba though they were not named on the team to face Bukedea Town Council in the Uganda Cup Round of 64 this afternoon.
In the absence of Bakaki and Watenga, Halid Lwaliwa and James Alitho have stepped in.