Saturday September 5, 2026
- St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende 7pm
Vipers must beat Mauritania’s Nouadhibou in the first leg preliminary round of the Caf Champions League at St. Mary’s stadium on Saturday to stand an opportunity of qualifying for the next round.
The Ugandan champions head into the game on the back of a stuttering result following a 1-0 defeat to Entebbe UPPC in the 2026/27 league opener.
Head coach Denis Lavagne is under enormous pressure to deliver a good result that will surely put the Venoms on the right course for the group stages, the ultimate target.
“This is going to be a difficult one, just like all CAF Champions League games, and we have to play our big game to win a big game,” said Lavagne.
“I am confident in the team I have to get the job done,” he added.
The French man admits pressure but preparations involving friendly matches against Gor Mahia and Nairobi United have helped. “There is always pressure for a coach. It’s normal pressure for everyone, including the players.
“We are well prepared for the game. We have played a couple of games, including Gor Mahia in CECAFA and Nairobi United in a friendly.”
Team News
Ceaser Lobi Manzoki is expected to return to the squad after he missed the opening match but Lavagne says he is not ready to start matches at the moment.
Left back Nicholas Mwere has also trained with the team this week and could be back straight into the starting XI after he missed the Super Cup win over Kitara and league opening defeat to UPPC.
How will the Vipers line up?
Not so many changes are expected in the team although the return of Mwere surely calls for a change at left back.
That leaves Lavagne and staff with a tight decision on who starts at centre back alongside Hilary Mukundane – the battle between Nigerian Princewell Tarabina and Congolese import Kevin Bady Dayslva, the latter has been calamitous in the recent matches including scoring an own goal last Friday.
Probable line up:
Mbaba (GK), Mandela, Mukundane, Tarabina, Mwere, Sserunjogi, Youngman, Watambala, Chukwuma, Miya, Mulongo
