CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Saturday, August 26th | 8pm
Vipers SC v Jwaneng Galaxy FC
St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende
It will be a do or die affair for Vipers SC as we take on Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy FC in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round on Saturday at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
The Venoms will have to overcome a 2-0 goal deficit from the first leg if they are to stand any chances of making it to the next round.
And, head coach Leo Martins Neiva is as every Venom would anticipate, hugely optimistic that a comeback is a possibility, especially at home turf.
“We are very focused for tomorrow’s game and we’re ready physically and technically as a team,” the Brazilian tactician said.
“We believe that we can come back for sure, we have the ability to do it of we work out a few points here and there.”
“This game for us we need to play so offensively. We need to score, we just need to think about scoring.”
“And of course, we cannot concede goals. We expect a lot from Galaxy FC, they have a very good squad, a very good coach, experienced coach,” he added.
“We have the ability and the capacity to come back. They have a two-goal advantage, and even if we win 3-1 they progress, so we have to make sure we don’t concede,” the Brazilian noted.
Having played in the group stages of the continental showpiece last season, we have our eyes on returning to the same stage and the tie is such a crucial one.
The winner of the tie will progress and face either South Africa’s Orlando Pirates who beat Comoros’ Djabal FC 3-1 on aggregate, in the final stage before the groups.
Team News:
Murushid Juuko and Marvin Joseph Youngman are fully fit and in the squad ahead of today’s match against Jwaneng Galaxy FC.
Hilary Mukundane and Patrick Mbowa are doubtful after suffering a knock on the knee and acute achilles tendon respectively in our last encounter.
But the match is still too early for Brazilian midfielder Luiz Otavio Santos de Araujo alias Tinga, who is still out nursing a whack on his ankle.
VIPERS SC SQUAD IN CAMP
Goalkeepers: Alfred Mudekereza, Fabien Mutombora.
Defenders: Livingstone Mulondo, Murushid Juuko, Richard Matovu, Isa Mubiru, Ashraf Mandela, Nzau Lutumba.
Midfielders: Abdu Lumala, Bright Anukani, Siraje Sentamu, Abdu Karim Watambala, Marvin Joseph Youngman, Martin Kizza, David Bagoole.
Forwards: Rodriguez Giancarlo, Yunus Sentamu, Milton Karisa, Mohamed Salem Ekbad, Abubakar Lawal, Fumador Asiwome.
We say: Vipers SC 2-1 Jwaneng Galaxy FC
