Zamalek (Egy) v Belouizdad (Alg) @7:00pm Raja (Mar) v Vipers (Uga) @10:00pm
RABAT – Uganda’s representatives in the Caf Champions’ League competition, Vipers FC arrived in Morocco on Thursday a day ahead of their scheduled tie against hosts – Raja Casablanca planned for Complexe Mohammed V stadium – kicking off at 10:00pm.
The Venoms who play Raja in the group in C opener, will later tussle it out against Guinea’s Horoya and Simba SC of Tanzania – the other teams in the folder.
The match will be Coach Beto Bianchi maiden test at the continental level – a month after replacing Roberto Oliveira.
Oliveira had guided the Venoms to their first-ever appearance in the lucrative group stages – becoming only second to KCCA FC, which reached the stage in 2018.
The team flew to Casablanca, Morocco on Wednesday – arriving on Thursday – a situation that raised doubts whether the players would be in shape for today’s fixture.
But Bianchi claimed that the team’s preparations back home would be the magic.
I think in the opposite way, my players are well. It is an award for us in this game. This is a very important stage in the CAF Champions League and we all are conscientious about this
The team will have to replicate their successful performances from the preliminary rounds, where they eliminated Olympic Real De Bangui from the Central African Republic and TP Mazembe in the second round.
Captain Milton Karisa noted that he felt no pressure in facing an experienced team:
“The pressure is on them because they don’t know us but we know them. So, l doesn’t think we are under any kind of pressure. We are ready for tomorrow. Of course, it’s our debut game in the group stages but we aren’t under any pressure. We just can’t wait for the game,” he said.
The stadium in Casablanca will be empty following fan violence.
The stadium in Casablanca will be empty following fan violence.
Vipers’ advantage lies in the fact that their tie tonight will be played behind closed doors due to acts of violence – the Raja fans exhibited during their tie against Al Ahly in last season’s quarterfinals.
The fans’ violence did not only attract playing behind closed doors but fetched Caf $24,000 in fines for the using of smoke, lasers and throwing bottles, as well as another $20,000 for failing to provide the required security.
Vipers received a boost with the return of two key players in defender Livingstone Mulondo who was announced fit after recovering from a fracture injury that had kept him out for two months as well as striker Yunus Sentamu who returned to the team after battling a groin injury for the same amount of time.
The new signings include, Ashraf Mandela, Abdu Lumala, and Murushid Juuko, who was brought in the squad to replace Halid Lwaliwa in defence, and lately Martin Kiiza among others.
