Uganda Premier League side Vipers SC will this Sunday play Sudan outfit Al Hilal in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round in Khartoum.
In the first leg played in Kampala about a week ago, Vipers lost 0-1 at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende courtesy of a Bakhet Hamid goal in the 26th minute off a perfectly timed volleyball from close range.
Vipers now face a daunting task attempting to overturn the home defeat on foreign soil and will need nothing but at least a 2-0 win or a win with a two goal margin if they are to go through to the next round.
“It is disappointing that we couldn’t get the result we wanted. We shall go back and reflect on where we didn’t do well. We still have the return leg and there’s chance that we can look for a better result.” Vipers Coach Fred Kajoba said after the first leg loss.
Dubbed Venoms, Vipers had their last training session at the Blue Jewel stadium in Khartoum on Saturday evening.
Vipers have been handed a huge boost by the return of four players who have been away on national duty in Tanzania during the CECAFA U-20 Challenge Cup (Afcon 2021 U-20 Qualifier) where Uganda emerged champions.
The four returnees are; Najib Yiga,
Joseph Dhata, Bobosi Byaruhanga and Aziz Kayondo who joined the camp on the wee hours of Saturday.
The overall winner between the two sides will face Asante Kotoko of Ghana or Mauritania’s Nouadhibou at the next stage of the competition.