Sunday, August 20
•Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana) Vs Vipers (Uganda) – 4pm (EAT)
Vipers will be hoping for a first leg advantage when they take on hosts Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy in the CAF Champions League preliminary qualifiers.
The Venoms are looking for a positive result at Lobatse Sports Complex before getting the job done at Kitende on August 25.
They left Kampala without Murushid Juuko (fitness) and Brazilian Tinga (ankle injury), Ivorian Desire Tety, David Bagoole and Martin Kizza.
But the new gaffer Leo Neiva will remain confident that his squad will still get a needed result on Sunday.
“I believe in our capacity and preparations as a team and l believe we can surprise Jwaneng Galaxy FC,” Neiva told the Club website.
“And, we are here to try and win the game. And that’s why we are going to try and do our best.
“Jwaneng Galaxy FC have had a good run in the CAF Champions League and three or four years ago they beat Tanzania’s Simba SC.”
Vipers have not had much of competitive football in the previous months since the league is yet to kickoff.
But they looked unconvincing in the FUFA Super 8: They were eliminated by BUL before edging Bright Stars 1-0 in the classification games.
With a couple of new signings, including Brazilians, Neiva will be under pressure to deliver CAF Championship group stages.
If Vipers overcome Jwaneng Galaxy, they meet winner between South African side Orlando Pirates who are favourites against Djabel FC (Comoros), at the Second final round of the Qualifiers, for a place in the lucrative groups.
Vipers qualified to the CAF Champions League group stages for the first time last season, then eliminating Olympic Real De Bangui (Central Africa) and TP Mazembe (DR Congo).
The Venoms will be hoping to return to the CAF Champions League group stages despite finishing bottom of the group that had Raja Casablanca, Simba and Horoya on their debut last season.
Jwaneng have reached the CAF Champions League once, in 2021/22 season – They eliminated Le Messager (Central Africa) and Simba (Tanzania) in the first and second round of qualifiers respectively.
Jwaneng won their second Botswana Premier League title this concluded 2022/23 season, finishing eight points above Gabarone United while Orapa and Township Rollers completed the top four.
Just like in Uganda, Botswana League is yet to kickoff.
Vipers Probable XI- Alfred Mudekereza, Ashraf Mandela, Patrick Mbowa, Hilary Mukundane, Richard Matovu, Nzau Lutumba, Bright Anukani, Karim Watambala, Milton Karisa, Yunus Sentamu, Abubakar Lawal
How To Watch – Game will NOT be live on any Ugandan local channel, but Botswana TV will broadcast it live. It’s not accessible on any of the known decoders. Any live stream link will be shared on our social media platforms prior to kickoff
