- The two sides have not won their opening two matches
- Simba’s coach was previously with Vipers
- The Game will be played at the St. Mary’s Stadium
Tanzania’s Simba and Uganda’s Vipers clash under the floodlights at the St. Mary’s Stadium in the outskirts of Kampala on Saturday evening, in what is expected to be a mouth watering East African Derby in the CAF Champions League.
Both sides are winless after the first two rounds of matches, and this will be a key and crucial fixture for both of them. The most interesting bit though, will be the return of Brazilian coach Roberto Oliveira to the St. Mary’s Stadium.
The tactician, nicknamed Robertinho, led Vipers to qualification for the group stages for the first time ever, before he left them for Simba in January this year. He will be returning to the club on enemy attire, barely two months later.
“We need to be careful when we have the ball and if we lose it, we have stressed the players to use the opportunities we create, we need to get three points away from home,” said Robertinho.
He added; “Of course I am glad to be back here because I have so many friends and we made good history together. But there will be no friendship for 90 minutes,”
“We have come to try and do our best to get three points and put our campaign back on track,” the veteran Brazilian added.
Meanwhile, Kenyan defender Joash Onyango has said they have arrived in Uganda knowing that the game will be difficult, Vipers are the best team but we have planned to ensure that we get three points.
Respect for Vipers
“Vipers are a good team, we respect them but we are fully prepared to ensure that we win and take all three points away from home,” said Onyango.
Vipers have a point from last weekend’s draw at home against Horoya, while Simba are winless after back to back losses against Horoya and Raja Club Athletic.
Vipers tactician Roberto Bianchi expects a better performance at home from his side, saying he is pleased with the improvement he has seen since their 5-0 drubbing on match day one away to Raja.
Bianchi and Simba’s Oliveira are not new to each other. Vipers tactician Bianchi is relishing the meeting.
“I know him, and it will be a pleasure to meet him again. I faced him in one of my previous assignments in Angola, and it’ll be a pleasure to meet him,” said the coach.
He added; “We have prepared well for the tie and we know we are playing at home so we will do all we can to win.”
Win on home soil
Meanwhile skipper Milton Karisa is also looking forward to three points on home soil.
“I believe that the tactics the coach has given us will enable us give a good game, and hopefully we get the desired win at the end of the day.
The Venoms have gone six games in all competitions without scoring a goal, but Karisa is confident a number of things can change.
“We going through a tough spell, not scoring goals but that happens in football. Tomorrow, a lot of things can change because Simba is also not doing well. It is a case of one match at a time and we’re not thinking about the past. That’s history now.”
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