Vipers Name Squad for Nouadhibou Decider 

Vipers name a 19-man squad for the Nouadhibou return leg after reportedly rejecting Shs100 million in NCS funding over fairness concerns. 

Vipers SC head coach Denis Lavagne has selected a 19-man travelling squad for Sunday’s decisive CAF Champions League preliminary round return leg against FC Nouadhibou in Mauritania.

The Uganda Premier League champions travel to Nouakchott with the tie balanced at 1-1 after a frustrating first leg at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende. Hillary Mukundane put Vipers ahead early, but Sidi Ahmed Mohamed El Abd equalised for the Mauritanian champions.

Vipers must now deliver a disciplined away performance while managing a separate funding dispute after rejecting a reported Shs100 million support package from the National Council of Sports.

Match Details

Lavagne Selects Experience and Youth

Lavagne’s squad contains two goalkeepers, six defenders, seven midfielders and four forwards. Captain Milton Karisa, first-leg scorer Mukundane, Faruku Miya, Karim Watambala, Junior Yunus Sentamu and Cesar Manzoki provide substantial experience.

Marius Mbaba and Denis Kiggundu are the goalkeeping options. Mukundane leads a defence that also includes Bady Dasylva, Ashraf Mandela, Biweribo Tarabina, Jacques Mangoba and Nicholas Mwere.

The midfield group consists of Watambala, Paul Patrick Mbowa, Joseph Marvin Youngman, Joel Sserunjogi, Odili Chukwuma, Miya and Kiza Usama.

Karisa, Sentamu, Gusto Mulongo and Manzoki form the attacking unit entrusted with finding the goals required to extend Vipers’ continental campaign.

The 19-man Vipers travelling squad gives Lavagne options in central midfield and attack, although the limited number of goalkeepers leaves no room for injury or illness.

What Vipers Need to Qualify

The 1-1 first-leg result leaves every outcome possible. According to NBS Sport’s qualification breakdown, any Vipers victory would secure progression.

NBS Sport reports that a 2-2 draw or any higher-scoring draw would also take Vipers through under the applicable away-goals terms. A goalless draw would eliminate them, while another 1-1 result would send the contest to penalties.

That situation gives Vipers little incentive to defend passively. They need defensive organisation but must also create enough pressure to score away from home.

Nouadhibou proved dangerous at Kitende by recovering after conceding first. Playing at home should increase their confidence, while the unfamiliar conditions and travel demands create another challenge for the Ugandan champions.

Key Players for Vipers

Mukundane will be central to Vipers’ defensive organisation and set-piece threat. His opening goal in Kitende demonstrated how a defender can influence the contest at both ends.

Watambala and Miya carry much of the creative responsibility. Vipers will need them to protect possession, progress the ball through midfield and supply the forwards without exposing the defence to counterattacks.

Karisa’s leadership and movement could stretch Nouadhibou, while Manzoki offers a physical presence near goal. Sentamu’s experience provides Lavagne with another option if the match requires a change of attacking approach.

Winner Faces Rivers United or San Pedro

The team advancing from this tie will meet either Nigeria’s Rivers United or San Pedro of Ivory Coast in the second preliminary round.

Vipers Reject Reported Shs100m Support

Preparations have also been shaped by a debate over public funding. Sports Nation Uganda reports that Vipers rejected a Shs100 million National Council of Sports package intended to support their Champions League campaign.

In a letter dated September 4, club president Dr Lawrence Mulindwa reportedly thanked NCS for the offer but raised concerns about fairness and the absence of a clear policy governing assistance to clubs representing Uganda internationally.

Vipers reportedly submitted a Shs350 million budget covering the home and away Nouadhibou fixtures. The offered Shs100 million represented approximately 28 percent of that request.

The club compared its offer with support reportedly provided to Kitara FC for the CAF Confederation Cup. Kitara requested Shs200 million and received Shs150 million, equivalent to 75 percent of its submitted budget.

Vipers consequently declined the money and requested guidance on the criteria, eligibility requirements, and funding mechanisms governing future support.

The reported letter centres on consistency and transparency in funding clubs representing Uganda internationally.

Tactical Outlook

Lavagne must balance the need for an away goal with the danger of leaving spaces behind. A controlled start could help Vipers settle, but excessive caution may allow Nouadhibou to dictate the contest.

The midfield must retain possession and resist pressure, while the forwards need to use their opportunities efficiently. Set pieces could again be important after Mukundane’s contribution in the first leg.

Vipers should also prepare mentally for several possible match situations, including protecting a lead, responding after conceding or contesting penalties if the score finishes 1-1.

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Conclusion

Vipers travel with enough experience and attacking quality to win in Nouakchott, but the 1-1 first-leg score leaves no margin for complacency.

Progress would move the Venoms closer to the Champions League group stage and provide an important boost for Ugandan club football. Before considering that opportunity, Lavagne’s squad must overcome Nouadhibou through discipline, efficiency and composure.