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WE ARE VENOMS: MINNAERT'S DEFIANT RALLYING CRY AHEAD OF ZAMBIA COMEBACK MISSION

Vipers SC face a tough Caf Champions League task after a 2-1 home loss to Power Dynamos. They must win 2-0 or better in the Zambia return leg to keep their group stage hopes alive.

We Are Venoms: Minnaert's Defiant Rallying Cry Ahead of Zambia Comeback Mission
Can Vipers' Bite Overpower the Dynamos' Mission? - COURTESY/PHOTO

With their chances of surviving the Caf Champions League hanging in the balance following a 2-1 home loss to Power Dynamos, Vipers SC will have to contend with a difficult second leg.

Vipers SC was left gazing at a precipice as Power Dynamos slithered away with a 2-1 victory, despite the defiant atmosphere in Kitende. 

Derrick Ndahiro's merciless own goal gave the Zambians a narrow but decisive lead in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the Caf Champions League. 

The Venoms have a daunting task ahead of them as they get ready for Friday's return leg in Kitwe: a 2-0 victory or better to advance to the group stages.

St. Mary's Stadium in Kitende was momentarily enlivened by Yunus Sentamu's early second-half goal. 

Hope was briefly raised in the stands by the Vipers' resistance to Fufa's recently revoked league reforms. 

However, Ndahiro's crucial deflection and Moses Sumah's quick response put out the fire, forcing the home team to futilely pursue the match.

Everything to play for


Despite the setback, Vipers' Belgian tactician Jacky Ivan Minnaert exudes faith. 

He proclaimed, "We are Venoms, we are Vipers," with the obstinate confidence that inspires comebacks. 

"We think that nothing is done 200 per cent of the time. The fact that we still have ninety minutes to play is a plus for us going forward.

Despite pressing hard even in the final moments of the match and chasing an equaliser that never materialised, Minnaert maintains that his team demonstrated no lack of fitness. 

He cites their 1-0 victory over Namibia's African Stars as evidence that the Venoms can win away from home.

Defiant Dynamo


But Power Dynamos are more than just prey. Coach Osward Mukuka Mutupa talked about a "mission" accomplished in Uganda and his team's unwavering determination in spite of their deficit. 

He declared, "We could have won, lost, or drawn, but we won." Ndahiro's own goal and Sumah's clinical finish were rewards for their perseverance, but Mutupa is aware that the tie is still up for grabs. 

Knowing that Kitwe may still be stung by Vipers' venom, he warned, "This is not the end of the game. It is only halftime, but we are a team on a mission." 

Though enormous, the Venoms' quest is not insurmountable. They need to capitalise on the energy that brought supporters and onlookers together in their struggle against Fufa's divisive changes. 

They will require more than just heart in Zambia; their fate will be determined by accuracy, bravery, and a dash of ruthlessness. Vipers have to retaliate or try again the following year.

LIFE AFTER OKELLO: HOW ABDULKARIM WATAMBALA BECAME VIPERS' NEW MIDFIELD COMMANDER

Vipers SC dismantled Police FC 4-1 at Kitende, led by a stunning AbdulKarim Watambala goal to extend their lead at the UPL summit.

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Watambala’s screamer against Police trending as UPL Goal of the Season

Vipers came out flying, up 3-0 by halftime against a stunned Police squad. Once again, AbdulKarim Watambala pulled the strings in midfield, making everything tick.

With this 4-1 thumping at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, Vipers held onto their three-point lead at the top of the Startimes Uganda Premier League heading into the last games of the first round.

Honestly, what was supposed to be a top-of-the-table clash turned into a breeze for the defending champions. They probably played their best half of football since Ivan Minnaert took over as head coach last July.

Watambala, who’s looked like a new man since his close friend Allan Okello left, set up the opener for Milton Karisa with a clever through ball. Karisa made no mistake, poking the ball past a scrambling Mathias Muwanga in the 32nd minute.

Then came the moment of the night. Watambala picked up a pass from Enoch Ssebagala just outside the box, and with police defenders backing off, he smashed a rocket in off the underside of the crossbar. That was his third goal in two games, after his brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win over URA.

Right before halftime, Odili Chukwuma put the game to bed, heading in Usama Arafat’s cross after nutmegging Richard Matovu.

Police barely threatened all evening, but Saidi Kyeyune managed to pull one back with a low shot just four minutes into the second half. It didn’t matter much. Vipers stretched their lead again in the 77th minute, when substitute Yunus Sentamu headed the ball across for Usama to tap in their fourth.

The win pushes the Vipers to 33 points. Police drop to third with 27. KCCA move into second place after brushing aside UPDF 4-0. Sammy Ssebaduka grabbed two goals, with Joel Sserunjogi and substitute Alpha Ssali also on the scoresheet.

UPL UPDATES: KCCA FC HELD IN LUZIRA WHILE POLICE FC CLOSE THE GAP AT TOP

Police FC move to second after beating Calvary, while KCCA is held to a goalless draw by Maroons in a rusty MD13 clash.

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Vipers, KCCA, and Police tied on points

After beating Calvary, Police moved up to second place in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. KCCA didn't score against Maroons, and Entebbe UPPC beat UPDF, keeping the title race close on match day 13.

Police grabbed second place in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League after a 2-0 win against Calvary at Kiira Road on Wednesday.

Breaks during the season are usually a time for teams to regroup and let players rest after many games in a short time. But for the Uganda Premier League, there hasn't been much going on since mid-December, partly because of the 2025 AFCON.

Today's game between Maroons and KCCA in Luzira was different. Both teams seemed out of practice, which might explain the dull game that ended with no score.

Neither team seemed ready to push for a win, and there were few chances to score.

KCCA and Maroons each played one game between December 17 and today, losing to Police and Buhimba United Saints, respectively. That's just one game in 35 days.

Maroons played a physical game, preventing KCCA from controlling the ball and playing their usual style. This could be why coach Brian Ssenyondo took out Ashraf Mugume and Saidi Mayanja at halftime, replacing them with Brian Jjara and Derrick Nsibambi.

The home team kept KCCA away from the goal, and even when they brought in another striker, Emmanuel Anyama, later in the second half, they didn't get many chances.

Maroons defended well as a team to earn a point, putting them in seventh place with 16 points.

For KCCA FC, this result is a setback in their chase for the title. They are tied for first place with 27 points, the same as Police, who beat Calvary FC, and Vipers, who have two games left.

Wednesday's results:

Maroons 0-0 KCCA

Police 2-0 Calvary

UPDF 0-1 Entebbe UPPC

Premier League Standings

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