Saturday September 5, 2026
- CAF Champions League Preliminary Round 1st leg
- St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende 7pm
Vipers must be at the lethal best if they are to beat Mauritania’s Nouadhibou in the Caf Champions League preliminary round, says head coach Denis Lavagne.
The Uganda champions host the first leg at Kitende under floodlights on Saturday seeking to establish a decent advantage before a return match a week later.
“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,” stressed Lavagne who started his league campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Entebbe UPPC.
Despite awake up call in the league, Lavagne remains confident of getting a good result on Saturday citing good preparations but admits being under pressure which he described as normal.
“I am confident in the team I have to get the job done,” he stated.
“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.”
Vipers’ main target will be qualifying for the Caf Champions League group stages, a feat they have only achieved once.
In case they overcome the Mauritanian side, Nigeria’s Rivers United or Ivory Coast’s San Pedro are lurking in the next stage.
