Denis Lavagne demands improvement after Vipers SC secured their first league win with a 3-0 victory over Ntugasaze at Kitende.
Vipers SC head coach Denis Lavagne welcomed his team’s commanding 3-0 victory over Ntugasaze FC but warned that the Uganda Premier League champions remain short of the standards he expects.
Goals from Gusto Mulongo, Chukwuma Odili and Ceaser Manzoki secured Vipers’ first league win of the season at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende. The result responded to defeat to Entebbe UPPC in their opening league match and elimination from the CAF Champions League by FC Nouadhibou.
Yet Lavagne treated the scoreline as a foundation rather than proof that every problem had been solved. The French coach praised the confidence generated by the victory while demanding sharper finishing, stronger control and further tactical improvement.
Vipers Break Through at Kitende
Ntugasaze arrived determined to frustrate the defending champions and made the contest uncomfortable. The visitors defended with discipline, closed central spaces and forced Vipers to work patiently for openings.
The resistance lasted until the 27th minute. Abdul Karim Watambala delivered a corner, and Mulongo rose to head Vipers in front. The goal settled the home side, although Ntugasaze remained competitive and reached halftime one goal behind.
Vipers increased their tempo after the interval. Odili doubled the advantage in the 60th minute before Manzoki struck three minutes later, completing a decisive attacking burst that ended the contest.
The final margin suggested comfort, but Lavagne’s reaction showed that his assessment went beyond the scoreboard. He believed Vipers should have imposed themselves more completely against newly promoted opposition.
Lavagne Wants Higher Standards
Lavagne said the win was valuable for morale and especially important for attacking players who needed goals. However, he made clear that more work was required.
“I am happy for the victory. It’s good for the confidence of the players, but it’s also important for offensive players to score goals,” Lavagne told reporters after the match. “I expected more from the team given the kind of opponent, but it’s okay. We shall keep trying to improve.”
His comments reflected the demands surrounding a club defending the league title. At Vipers, winning is expected, but performances are also measured by control, consistency and the ability to convert pressure into goals.
Lavagne acknowledged that Ntugasaze worked hard to restrict his team. As the visitors tired, space opened, and Vipers’ substitutions helped create danger. The two goals scored between the 60th and 63rd minutes demonstrated how quickly the Venoms can punish opponents once their movement and final pass improve.
Goals Bring Relief to the Attack
The identities of the scorers were another encouraging feature. Mulongo’s header rewarded Vipers’ set-piece delivery, Odili added a second at an important stage, and Manzoki’s finish offered the experienced striker a confidence boost.
Lavagne nevertheless highlighted finishing as an area requiring attention. Vipers possess several attacking options, but the coach wants them to turn promising situations into chances more consistently.
That message matters because tougher opponents may not offer the same second-half space. Against organised title rivals, missed opportunities can change matches, while poor game management can allow opponents back into contests that should already be controlled.
The clean sheet was also significant. It gave Vipers a stable platform and prevented Ntugasaze from gaining hope after falling behind. Still, Lavagne wants his side to command matches through possession, positioning and better decision-making rather than relying only on superior individual quality.
A Needed Response After Continental Disappointment
The victory came at an important moment. Vipers entered the fixture needing a positive reaction following their early CAF Champions League exit and their opening league defeat.
Continental elimination increased the focus on domestic competition. The Venoms must now channel that disappointment into their league-title defence and other local objectives. Beating Ntugasaze moved them off the bottom of the table and restored some belief, but one victory cannot define the campaign.
The international break gives Lavagne time to address the weaknesses he identified. Training can now focus on attacking combinations, finishing, midfield control, and maintaining intensity throughout matches.
For supporters in Kitende and across Uganda, the performance offered both reassurance and a warning. Vipers still have the depth and attacking quality to overwhelm opponents, but their coach believes they’ll need a higher level against the league’s strongest sides.
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Verdict
Vipers achieved the objective: three points, three goals and a clean sheet. Mulongo, Odili and Manzoki supplied the decisive moments, while the second-half display showed the attacking potential within Lavagne’s squad.
The coach’s refusal to celebrate uncritically may benefit the champions. He knows that defending the Uganda Premier League title will require more than comfortable home victories against newcomers. Vipers must become more clinical, control matches for longer periods and reproduce their best football consistently.
The 3-0 win provides confidence and breathing space, but Lavagne’s message is unmistakable: the result was welcome, while the performance remains a work in progress.
