INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Monday, September 1st, 2025 | 6pm
Rayon Sport FC v Vipers SC
Kigali Pele Stadium, Rwanda
Vipers Sports Club have kept their pre-season fires burning, adding a fourth international friendly to their growing list of fixtures.
The Ugandan champions will now face Rwandan heavyweights Rayon Sport FC on Monday, September 1 in Kigali, a clash expected to stretch their resolve as they continue preparations for the 2025/26 campaign.
Ivan Jacky Minnaert’s charges are already in Rwanda, where they have steadily built momentum against tough regional opponents.
On Friday, the Venoms showcased their defensive steel in a goalless stalemate with Tanzanian powerhouse Azam FC — a performance that underlined their improving organisation and discipline at the back.
Results full of promise
That resilient display came hot on the heels of two confidence-boosting wins over Rwanda’s Gorilla FC last week at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, where they registered 3-1 and 1-0 victories.
Those games gave Minnaert an opportunity to rotate his squad and assess combinations, with several players staking early claims for starting roles.
Now comes Rayon Sport, Rwanda’s seasoned campaigners, who will present a fresh challenge and help reveal how close Minnaert is to striking the right balance in his evolving side.
The Belgian tactician has approached the pre-season like a chess grandmaster – patiently moving pieces, experimenting with systems, and searching for the winning formula.
With the Uganda Premier League, Uganda Cup, and the CAF Champions League all looming on the horizon, Vipers remain a work in progress, but one steadily shaping into a well-oiled machine capable of defending their crown and conquering new frontiers.