Overview:
With no injury news revealed so far, the Belgian tactician and his assistants John Luyinda and Fred Muhumuza have what coaches describe as a ‘good selection headache’.
Ivan Jacky Minnaert has selection problems for the Caf Champions League second preliminary round first leg against Zambia’s Power Dynamos on Sunday.
The Venoms must beat the Zambian champions with a good score line to stand a chance of reaching the lucrative group stage for only the second time in history.
With no injury news revealed so far, the Belgian tactician and his assistants John Luyinda and Fred Muhumuza have what coaches describe as a ‘good selection headache’.
The backline
Derrick Kiggundu started both games against African Stars in the previous round but has stiff competition with Congolese experienced custodian Alfred Mudekereza.
Right back has three options in Ashraf Mandela who played both matches, Nicholas Wadada and Grant Masiko who are all able in the position.
Enock Luyima started ahead of Derrick Ndahiro against the Namibian side but with latter now mentally fit to play, Minnaert must decide on who goes in first.
Rogers Torach and Hilary Mukundane partnered at heart of defence in the successful campaign last season but the former appears to have lost his place to new recruit Kevin Dasylva Baddy whose composure, calmness and game intelligence hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Livingstone Mulondo, the defensive kingpin and even Paul Mbowa are the other options at the heart of defence.
The midfield conundrum
Taddeo Lwanga, Karim Watambala and Enock Ssebagala formed the trio in the engine room in the past two encounters and that is most likely to continue.
However, the availability of Moses Waiswa, Paul Mbowa and Marvin Youngman offer others options.
Besides, even Allan Okello can occupy the no.10 role just in front of the two holding midfielders to accommodate either new signing Usama Arafat or skipper Milton Karisa on the right side of attack.
Forward line
Okello has predominantly played as a forward for Vipers on the right side but that is one position where the Venoms have depth with Usama, Karisa and Odili Chukwuma all viable and reliable options.
In the middle, Gusto Mulongo, Isaac Ogwang, Mark Yallah and Yunus Sentamu but it is on the left side that Vipers don’t have many options.
However, Sentamu prefers to cut in from the left and even Usama can ably play in that position.
Vipers Probable XI: Kiggundu (GK), Mandela, Dasylva, Mukundane, Ndahiro, Lwanga, Ssebagala, Watambala, Karisa ©, Sentamu, Okello.
What would be your ideal starting XI?
