Debutants Vipers SC are keen to cause shockwaves when they make their maiden bow in the group stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
The Ugandan champions have been drawn in Group C, picking out an interesting East African battle against Tanzania’s Simba and will also duel with Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic and Guinea’s Horoya.
Vipers’ Brazilian head coach Roberto Oliveira has admitted they are in a tough group, but maintains optimism that they have what it takes to make the last eight.
“We have seen our opponents. It is a good draw with big teams but Vipers, too, is a big club. I will speak to my group and ask of them to respect the opponents but our rivals have to respect us, too. I have a strong unwavering belief in the quality of my players,” the tactician stated.
He added; “I’ll prepare my team thoroughly well for the Champions League when the time is right. Right now we’re competing for honors in the Uganda Premier League and we have to take it one step at a time. Our objective is one and it is clear. We have to qualify to the knockout stages, I love the big matches.”
The tactician says he will immediately start preparing his training program for the big men’s battle awaiting his side in February.
The tactician is already looking forward to the mouthwatering fixtures ahead of him and says his team will not be afraid of taking on any opponent, whether at home at the St Mary’s Stadium or on the road.
Source: Confederation of African Football