- Simba beat Vipers when they met last
- Vipers are winless in the group
- Horoya host Raja in the other group match
Vipers SC assistant captain Seraji Sentamu says the team is not in Dar es Salaam for vacation, and that just sets the undertone of what is expected to be a huge clash in the Champions League when the Ugandans face off with Tanzania’s Simba at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Tuesday night.
Simba won 1-0 when the two sides last met 10 days ago in Kampala, and Vipers are travelling to Dar es Salaam focused on revenge as well as putting their own Champions League ambitions back on track.
“We have not come for a picnic. We have come to win. We have been here before and we know what it takes, It will be tough but we will fight for the win,” said the midfielder.
Vipers will miss the services of regular skipper Milton Karisa who was stretchered out with a hamstring injury when the two sides last played and they will also be without Bright Anukani who has been ruled out with a bout of malaria.
With a side missing some of their best players, Simba is scenting blood and playing at home, they will be out to harvest maximum points.
Simba are third in Group C with three points and only a win will keep their ambitions in tow while Vipers who have only one point, also must win to ensure their hopes of a quarter final in their first attempt is achieved.
Mathematically possible
“We have one point but mathematically it’s possible for us to qualify. We played well in Kampala and had more chances but Simba outmuscled us because of their players’ experience. We were found lacking in set pieces and a bit defensively shaky,” said Vipers coach Beto Bianchi.
He now hopes to guide his side to victory against his fellow Brazilian Roberto Oliveira, who guided the Ugandans to the group stage qualification before crossing to Simba.
Oliveira is looking to hoist his Simba side to a good battling position for the quarter finals and he will be keen to maximise on the home advantage.
“We are playing at home and definitely we want to ensure we get a win. I know Vipers very well and I know it will be a hard match. But as a team we are determined to win,” said the Brazilian veteran.
Horoya host Raja in Conakry
While the East Africans duel in Dar es Salaam, group leaders Raja Club Athletic will be in Conakry, Guinea, seeking to cement their place in the quarter finals as they take on hosts Horoya.
Raja are unbeaten in the group, having won all their three matches in convincing fashion and another three-point performance in enemy territory will host them to 12 points and an unassailable gap at the top.
They beat the Guineans 2-0 when they met 10 days ago and will look to complete a home and away double. Horoya meanwhile are on four points from a win and a draw, and need to win to guard their hold on second spot with Simba breathing on their necks.
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