Saturday, March 8
*Vipers (Uganda) Vs Raja Casablanca(Morocco) – 7pm
*Simba (Tanzania) Vs Horoya (Guinea) – 7pm
Group C Table
- Raja Casablanca 🇲🇦 – 12pts
- Simba 🇹🇿 – 6
- Horoya 🇬🇳 – 4
- Vipers 🇺🇬 – 1
Vipers welcome Raja Casablanca in the penultimate group game of the ongoing CAF Champions League.
This, will be the first home game for new Venoms coach Alex Isabirye who replaced sacked Beto Bianchi last week.
He got off to a good start after steering Vipers past Wakiso Giants via penalty shootouts to reach the Quaterfinals of the Uganda Cup.
And notably, Ashraf Mandela’s equaliser after Shariph Kimbowa had given Wakiso a lead, was Vipers’ first goal in nine games!
And that, together with the feel-good factor, are huge motivation for Vipers going into the Raja game, a side that beat them 5-0 in the reverse fixture.
The Venoms have slim hopes of reaching the knockout, but it’s no longer in their hands as they sit bottom of the group with just a point to show.
The other good news is that Raja already secured their spot in the knockout, and will be without some players including first choice goalkeeper Anas Zniti.
Hamza Khabba, Jamal Harkass, Mohamed Zrida, Yousri Bouzok and Roger Aholou who all scored in the first leg tie, have not made the trip to Kampala.
But Vipers can’t rest on their laurels either, as even the selected Raja squad is still athletic and lethal.
I am a competitor, I don’t participate, and if you’re a competitor you have to be at your absolute best no matter the situation and the opponent you’re facing,” Vipers coach Alex Isabirye said.
“In the few days I have been here, I have tried to work on improving their confidence, and I know that they are a good group.”
Vipers on the other hand, have a long list of injuries that include Karim Watambala, Frank Zaga Tumwesigye, Milton Karisa, Murushid Juuko and Marvin Youngman among others.
A win for Simba against Horoya in the other game, will end Vipers faint hopes with a game to spare.
Probable Lineups
Vipers – Alfred Mudekereza, Ashraf Mandela, Isa Mubiru, Hilary Mukundane, Livingston Mulondo, Siraje Sentamu, Martin Kizza, Bright Anukani, Yunus Sentamu, Desire Tety, Lumala Abdu
Raja – Marouane Fakhr, Marouane Hadhoudi, Bouchaib Arrassi, Abdelilah Madkour, Zakarja Labib, Hamza Moujahid, Ahmadou Camara, Walid Sabbar, Zakaria Hadraf, Mohamed Boulascout, Zakara Habti
How To Watch – Tickets are going for Sh20,000 (Ordinary) and Sh50,000 (VIP) to watch live at the St Mary’s Stadium. Those watching on TV, the game is live on Sanyuka Prime. DStv will also broadcast this encounter.
