A day after learning Vipers’ Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League group stage opponents, head coach Roberto Oliveira alias Robertinho is preaching optimism with a dream of prevailing to the knockout stages.
The Venoms were pitted in Group C alongside Simba SC, Raja Casablanca and Horoya Athletic Club in the draws held in Cairo, Egypt on Monday.
“We have seen our opponents,” the tactician spoke to the club media.
“It is a good draw with big teams but Vipers, too, is a big club.
“I will speak to my group and ask of them to respect the opponents but our rivals have to respect us, too! I have a strong unwavering belief in the quality of my players.”
Proper preparations
“I’ll prepare my team thoroughly well for the Champions League when the time is right. Right now we’re competing for honours in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) and we have to take it one step at a time,” the Brazilian gaffer added.
“Our objective is one and it is clear. We have to qualify (to the knockout stages), I love the big matches,” said Robertinho.
The Ugandan champions eliminated five-time winners TP Mazembe in the final preliminary round via a penalty shootout in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to reach the coveted stages.
Before that, the Venoms dumped Central African Republic side Olympic Real De Bangui 4-0 on aggregate over two legs.