By David Isabirye
Copyright kawowo
CAF Champions League (Preliminary Round, Return Leg):
Saturday, 27th September 2025
Vipers (Uganda) Vs African Stars (Namibia)
At St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende (7 PM)
Vipers Sports Club carries a slim 1-0 lead from the first leg of the CAF Champions League (preliminary round) over African Stars from Namibia.
The return leg is this Saturday, 27th September 2025 at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
Ivan Jacky Minnaert, head coach of the Vipers will play before the home fans for the first time.
The Belgian who holds a UEFA Pro-License anticipates a supportive crowd that will push the team.
“We expect a full house at St Mary’s Kitende and we know the fans will push us” the vastly experienced tactician who has worked in Guinea, Libya, South Africa, Kenya and Rwanda, among others told the media during the pre-match press conference at Kitende.
Minnaert notified that all the players at his disposal are available and ready for selection.
“We have all the players available. There are about 30 quality players from whom we have to pick the match day squad. There are no injury concerns” he spoke.
Defender Hilary Mukundane scored an early goal at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town city, South Africa that the Vipers held onto until the final whistle.
A draw of any nature or a clear cut victory will see Vipers sail through to the second round where ASEC Mimosa (Ivory Coast) or Power Dynamos (Zambia) await.
Meanwhile, the Vipers’ team captain Milton Karisa also addressed the media, underlining the relevance of a stable mental health status, commitment and belief from the players ahead of this crucial duel.
African Stars head coach Bob Mafoso and captain Ronald Ketjijere vowed to give Vipers a good run of their money.
African Stars arrived in the country earlier in the week and were checked in at Hotel Horizon in the heart of Entebbe Municipality.
They have seen conducted a training session at the St Mary’s Stadium Kitende and await the final drills on Friday.
