The long wait for the CAF Champions League preliminary draw is over and Vipers Sports Club players are looking forward to the their encounter against Sudan’s Al Hilal now that they will have to face.
Vipers will host the Sudanese champions at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende for the first leg on the weekend of November 27-29 then play the return encounter in Omdurman. The second leg, set for December 4-6, will be Vipers’ first visit to Sudan since 2018 when they knocked out Hilal’s rivals El Merriekh.
Vipers head coach Fred Kajoba and his troops will be hoping to make it the group stages but must overcome the winner between Asante Kotoko of Ghana or Mauritania champions Noudhibou FC in the qualifying stage. But it is the clash against the Sudanese giants that matters first.
Coach Fred Kajoba on the draw… “Its another great opportunity to revive our fortunes in this competition. We have what it takes to get past our opponents because the team has been at this level before and we have been preparing for this for many months. We have a good team and we believe that with determination and character, we shall get where want to be.”
Venoms vice captain Geofrey Wasswa described the draw as good… “We have been there before and believe it will be a good experience facing our opponents in a familiar place. The teamwork, commitment and determination are all we need to progress.”
Goalkeeper Bashir Sekagya who had a night to remember in Sudan against El Merriekh in 2018 when he made his debut on the continent called the draw as a unique test...
“We have been preparing ourselves for this moment despite the fact that the Uganda Premier League has not started yet, its a real test but we are set and even motivated by the return of our teammates who have been sidelined with injuries.”
Abraham Ndugwa who scored the only goal as we eliminated El Merriekh at St Mary’s stadium in 2018 believes his team has what it takes to progress past the preliminary round.
The midfielder is convinced the competition within the team and focus are key in their pursuit for champions league group stages.
“Some people may argue about the experience but we have the desire, hunger and will to compete highly.”
FULL CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURE
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