Saturday, August 26
•Vipers Vs Jwaneng Galaxy, 8pm
Vipers will be hoping to reach the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League qualifiers when they welcome Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
The Venoms dug themselves a big hole when they lost 2-0 in the first leg last week.
Thabang Vincent Sesinyi struck twice to ensure Jwaneng Galaxy assumed the advantage at the Lobatse Sports Complex.
And the Venoms will progress with at least a 3-0 win, a 2-0 victory will send the game to extra-time.
The Visitors will be hoping to score a vital away goal, and then, even a 3-1 loss will send them through.
“What we have to do is forget about what happened last week. We are now very focused on Saturday’s game and have to put things right,” said Vipers coach Leo Neiva.
“We need to impose ourselves in the game physically, mentally and also technically.
“It will be a tough game, it’s going to be a difficult challenge but we believe that have rectified our mistakes and we just need to score goals.
“They have a good squad and good coach, we respect them. But I believe we have the ability and capacity to come back.”
Neiva said that they don’t have to concede a goal which will toughen their calculations.
The two goals could have been avoidable but the Venoms were punished through their own mistakes.
Yunus Sentamu missed at either side of the halftime break including one in the second half when he couldn’t find the target after good work from Bright Anukani.
Anukani was also kept out goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko but even substitute Mohamed Salem couldn’t bundle in from a rebound.
Brazilian Giancarlo Rodriguez shot an inch wide from a freekick as Vipers battled in vain.
And with all the investment made in the transfer window, Vipers are on the brink of an early exit.
They will remain positive, and hope for an early goal that will pile pressure on the Visitors.
The Vistors arrived in the Country on Thursday.
If Vipers overcome Jwaneng Galaxy, they meet South African giants Orlando Pirates who eliminated Djabel FC (Comoros), in 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
Lineups used from the First Leg in Botswana:
Vipers – Alfred Mudekereza, Ashraf Mandela, Isa Mubiru, Hilary Mukundane, Livingston Mulondo, Patrick Mbowa, Siraje Sentamu, Bright Anukani, Milton Karisa, Yunus Sentamu, Giancarlo Rodriguez
Jwaneng Galaxy – Goitseone Phoko, Moagi Sechele, Thabo Leinanyane, Fortunate Thulabe, Benson Mangolo, Masuku Nqobibizitha, Gilbert Baruti, Dynamo Fredericks, Resaobaka Thatanyane, Thabang Sesinyi, Omaatala Kebatho
