CAF Champions League – Second Preliminary Round (First Leg)
The Fixture: Vipers SC (Uganda) vs. Power Dynamos FC (Zambia)
Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium – Kitende
Time: 7PM (EAT)
NB: The overall winner over two legs qualifies for the CAF Champions League group stages.
The stage is set. St. Mary’s Stadium – Kitende is expected to be packed to the rafters as Uganda’s champions, Vipers SC, take aim at Zambia’s Power Dynamos FC in a high-stakes CAF Champions League second preliminary round showdown.
Under the floodlights and before a passionate home crowd, the Venoms will seek to seize the moment, knowing that victory here could edge them closer to Africa’s most coveted club stage – the lucrative group phase.
For head coach Ivan Jacky Minnaert, it’s about channeling the hunger and ambition that define this generation of Vipers players.
“We both have the same chances. It’s 50-50,” said Minnaert. “In matches like this, small details matter. We respect Power Dynamos, but we also know what we are fighting for – a place among Africa’s elite.”
Respect Between Rivals, But No Room for Fear
Both camps have been measured yet respectful in their pre-match talk, fully aware of the magnitude of the tie.
Vipers reached this stage after seeing off Namibian champions African Stars 2-0 on aggregate, while Power Dynamos made headlines by eliminating Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas on penalties – a result that sent shockwaves across the continent.
That victory underlined the Zambians’ resilience and pedigree, but also served as a reminder to the Venoms that there are no easy games at this level.
“Power Dynamos are a strong side. They are well organized and play fast, technical football,” Minnaert added. “But we have prepared for this. Playing at Kitende, with our fans behind us, gives us confidence. We are ready to fight.”
Tactical Chess: Discipline Meets Desire
Minnaert’s blueprint will revolve around tactical discipline, tempo control, and execution in the final third.
Goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu, who has impressed with back-to-back clean sheets, is expected to once again marshal the backline of Ashraf Mandela, Kevin Brady, Hillary Mukundane, and Derrick Ndahiro – a quartet tasked with keeping the lively Dynamos forwards quiet.
In midfield, the experienced Taddeo Lwanga, flanked by Enock Ssebagala and Karim Watambala, are expected to work overtime as they look to dominate possession and dictate transitions.
Further forward, Allan Okello, fresh from national team duty, is expected to rekindle his creative rhythm – the same spark that propelled Vipers to the domestic double last season. His partnership with Yunus Sentamu and Milton Karisa will be crucial in breaking down the Zambian rearguard.
Power Dynamos Bring Fire of Their Own
Nicknamed “Aba Yellow”, Power Dynamos are not coming to Kitende to make up the numbers. Under coach Lombe Chipupu, the Zambian champions have rediscovered their swagger, blending youthful energy with continental experience.
Having topped the MTN/FAZ Super Division and silenced ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan, they arrive in Uganda full of belief and tactical maturity. Their style – built on swift transitions, sharp movement, and aggressive pressing – has earned them admiration across the region.
But against a hungry and battle-hardened Vipers outfit, they will face one of the toughest atmospheres on the continent.
Venoms’ Roar: The Twelfth Man Awaits
For the Venoms, home advantage will be everything. The deafening chants of the ‘Fiery Red Army’, the rhythm of the drums, and the electric Kitende atmosphere have often turned tight games into unforgettable nights.
The players know what’s at stake — a ticket to the group stages, where the financial windfall and prestige would mark another landmark in Vipers’ rise as a continental powerhouse.
“The fans at Kitende make the atmosphere electric,” said Minnaert. “We want to reward them with a performance full of passion, discipline, and fight. It’s our home, our fortress.”
Focus, Fire, and Faith
Both teams enter this tie with immense mutual respect. Yet, beneath the handshakes and smiles lies a fierce desire — to conquer, to progress, and to make history.
For Vipers SC, this game is a big deal. It’s a statement of intent, a chance to announce that Uganda’s finest can stand tall among Africa’s best.
As the floodlights beam down on a busy night and the chants echo across Kitende and its suburbs, one thing that will be a given for all Venoms partisan followers and fans – Vipers will fight for every inch.