Vipers SC travel to Zambia with their CAF Champions League dreams hanging by a thread as they prepare to face Power Dynamos in a high-stakes return leg at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The Ugandan champions trail 2-1 from the first leg at Kitende and must produce something special in Ndola to advance to the lucrative group stages for only the second time in the club’s history.
The Venoms started brightly in the first encounter, taking the lead through Yunus Sentamu just two minutes into the second half.
But their advantage was short-lived as Kenyan playmaker Moses Suma levelled for the Zambian champions before a freak own goal from Derrick Ndahiro handed Power Dynamos a priceless away victory.
Now, Vipers must win by at least 2-0 to overturn the deficit, a demanding task, especially against a side that has been nearly unbeatable at home and will be playing on Zambia’s Independence Day before a charged crowd.
Captain Milton Karisa admitted that the team underperformed in the first leg but remains confident they can rise to the occasion.
“We didn’t show our best selves for 90 minutes at Kitende, and it cost us,” Karisa said. “If we have no belief, we have no chance. We must trust ourselves and give everything. Let’s do it together — Venoms till the end.”
Head coach Jacky Ivan Minnaert echoed his skipper’s belief, urging his players to approach the tie with courage and discipline.
“The positives we carried on from the first leg are that we still have 90 minutes to change our story,” Minnaert stated. “Power Dynamos showed their hunger, but I know we have the quality to match them. It’s now about composure, determination, and belief.”
However, Minnaert will have to tweak his lineup due to suspension concerns. Kevin Baddy Daslyva misses out, opening the door for Rogers Torach to partner Hilary Mukundane at the heart of defence.
The battle for the left-back position continues between Enock Luyima and Derrick Ndahiro, while Enock Ssebagala is tipped to start in midfield alongside Taddeo Lwanga and Karim Watambala. Further forward, Allan Okello could be deployed in a more advanced role, supporting Sentamu and Odili in attack.
Vipers Probable XI:
Kiggundu (GK), Mandela, Mukundane, Torach, Luyima, Taddeo, Watambala, Ssebagala, Okello, Odili, Yunus.
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