MATCH DETAILS
Game: Blacks Power FC v Vipers SC
Date: Thurday, October 8th, 2026
Time: 4PM
Venue: Hoima City Stadium, Hoima
Vipers SC will be looking to inject further impetus into their Uganda Premier League title defence when they lock horns with newly-promoted Blacks Power FC at the magnificent Hoima City Stadium this Thursday.
The encounter, scheduled to kick off at 4pm, presents the Venoms with another opportunity to consolidate their resurgence, build the consistency required of reigning champions and continue their pursuit of a historic third successive league crown.
Having endured an indifferent start to the 2026/27 campaign, Denis Lavagne’s charges will be determined to translate their encouraging response against Ntugasaze FC into sustained domestic momentum.
The eight-time Uganda Premier League champions have collected three points from their opening two assignments, recovering from a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Entebbe UPPC FC with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Ntugasaze at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
Gusto Mulongo, Odili Chukwuma and Cesar Manzoki were all on target in that commanding performance, restoring confidence and offering a timely reminder of the attacking ammunition within the Venoms’ ranks.
Thursday’s encounter consequently provides an opportunity to build on that victory and begin assembling the sequence of positive results necessary to propel the champions towards the summit.
The Opposition
Blacks Power have made an impressive return to Uganda’s top division, accumulating nine points from their opening four fixtures to occupy fourth position in the standings.
The Lira-based outfit announced their arrival with successive 1-0 victories over Ntugasaze and Police FC before overcoming Maroons 2-1 away from home.
Their flawless beginning was eventually interrupted by BUL FC, who inflicted a 2-1 defeat on September 15.
Nevertheless, three victories from four outings underline the challenge awaiting the Venoms, who will need to combine attacking precision with defensive discipline against opponents enjoying a promising start to life back in the top flight.
Head-to-Head
History offers considerable encouragement for Vipers, who boast a perfect Uganda Premier League record against Blacks Power.
The two sides previously crossed paths during the 2022/23 campaign, with the Venoms emerging victorious in both encounters without conceding.
Vipers secured a hard-fought 1-0 away triumph on November 11, 2022, before completing the league double with a 2-0 success in the reverse fixture in April 2023.
Thursday’s contest therefore presents an opportunity to extend that unbeaten, unbreached record against Blacks Power while registering a second successive league victory this season.
Team News and Form
Lavagne will be encouraged by the attacking contributions of Mulongo, Odili and Manzoki during the previous league outing, with all three demonstrating the cutting edge required to dismantle stubborn opposition.
Farouk Miya’s introduction against Ntugasaze also provided additional creativity and attacking enterprise, highlighting the wealth of options available to the French tactician.
With competition for places intensifying, the Venoms will be eager to reproduce the cohesion, efficiency and authority that characterised their most recent domestic performance.
Although Vipers currently occupy 11th position with three points, they have played fewer matches than most of their competitors, leaving ample opportunity to climb the standings.
The immediate objective, however, remains straightforward: convert those outstanding fixtures into victories and steadily close the gap on the early pacesetters.
A New Stadium, Another Opportunity
Beyond the pursuit of three valuable points, Thursday’s assignment carries additional significance as Vipers prepare for their maiden appearance at the newly constructed Hoima City Stadium.
The Venoms have established a remarkable tradition of registering victories across the various Ugandan stadiums they have visited over the years, and Hoima presents another stage on which to extend that impressive footprint.
For a club accustomed to competing for honours, conquering unfamiliar territory has become an important part of its domestic identity.
October’s Demanding Schedule
The trip to Hoima marks the beginning of a busy October programme comprising five Uganda Premier League fixtures.
Following Thursday’s encounter, Vipers return to St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, to entertain Maroons FC on Sunday before travelling to Bukedea for a showdown with fellow newcomers Kataka FC on October 15.
A home encounter against Police FC follows on October 23, before the Venoms conclude their monthly assignments with an away engagement against Mbarara City FC at Rwamwanja Stadium.
With 15 points available across those five fixtures, the coming weeks present a valuable opportunity for Lavagne’s side to establish a stronger foothold in the championship race.
Having successfully defended their title last season with 67 points, the Venoms are pursuing an unprecedented third consecutive league triumph in the club’s history and a ninth championship overall.
That ambition demands consistency, resilience and the ability to negotiate difficult assignments regardless of venue or opposition.
For Vipers, Thursday’s trip to Hoima is another opportunity to demonstrate precisely those qualities and take another significant stride in their title defence.