Wednesday, April 5@4pm:
Maroons v Vipers
Vipers SC switch focus to retaining the StarTimes Uganda Premier League after their disappointing campaign in the CAF Champion League in which they exited last week without winning a single group game.
The Ugandan league champions begin their domestic title chase on Wednesday, April 5 when they travel to Luzira Prisons grounds for a scheduled match against Maroons FC.
The Venoms, as Vipers are fondly nicknamed, finished bottom of their CAF Champions League group that included Raja Casablanca (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania) and Horoya AC of Guinea Conakry.
Newly-recruited coach Alex Isabirye saw off the disastrous continental campaign with 0-2 loss to Horoya in the final game on March 31.
To his credit, Isabirye earned one of Vipers’ two points from six games when he led the Kitende-based champions to a 1-1 draw with Raja Casablanca at the St Mary’s stadium on March 22.
Since then, Isabirye, who replaced Brazilian Beto Bianchi on March 11, has handled four games; winning twice (beat BUL 2-1 in league and dumped Wakiso Giants 4-3 on penalties in the Uganda Cup), drew 1-1 with Raja and lost (0-2) to Horoya, both in the CAF Champions League.
Speaking at the pre-match media conference on Tuesday, April 4, Isabirye acknowledged the huge task at hand but insisted his team is well prepared.
“I know Maroons are not an easy team especially at their homeground but the boys are ready for the challenge. This is an important game for us to kick-start our title campaign; so, we’re going to give it our all,” Isabirye stated.
Going into Wednesday’s game, Vipers are in fourth position on the 15-team log with 28 points from 15 games compared to leaders SC Villa on 37 points from 19 games. Maroons, on the other hand, are eighth with 26 points from 19 games.
It’s worth noting that Vipers have a tight fixture schedule this month in which they will play six leagues and a quarterfinal tie against lower division Calvary FC.
After Wednesday’s game against Maroons, Vipers will host Balcks Power FC on April 8 at the St Mary’s stadium, Kitende. Later on in the month, they have two big games against former champions URA FC and current table leaders SC Villa.