Vipers coach Fred Kajoba has expressed confidence after his side landed Sudanese giants Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
Vipers will host Al Hilal due November 27-29 at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende, before a return leg in Khartoum in December 4-6, 2020.
This, is after the CAF Champions League draw held on Monday in Cairo, Egypt.
If Vipers overcome Al Hilal, they will face winner between Asante Kotoko (Ghana) and Noauadhibou (Mauritania) at the next qualification round.
Check Full CAF Champions League draw here
Kajoba has fancied his chances against Al Hilal who has reached the Champions League final twice in 1987 and 1992.
“Its another great opportunity to revive our fortunes in this competition,” Kajoba is quoted by the club website.
“We have what it takes to get past our opponents because the team has been at this level before and we have been preparing for this for many months.
“We have a good team and we believe that with determination and character, we shall get where want to be.”
Kajoba joined Vipers towards the end of last season after the club sacked Edward Golola.
He went on to steer the club to league glory, with the season ended prematurely with five games to go due to Covid19 pandemic.
In preparation for the upcoming season, Vipers who lost striker Fahad Bayo to Israel club FC Ashdod, signed Congolese forward Cesar Lobi Manzoki.
Dissan Galiwango, Ibrahim Orit, David Bagoole, Joseph Dhata, Jamil Kaliisa are some of the new signings at the club.
Vipers target a place in CAF Champions League group stages, a feat they have never achieved.
In 2018/19, the Venoms knocked out Sudanese’s Al Merrikh on away goals rule (2-2) at preliminary round but lost to CS Constantine 3-0 on aggregate at the next stage.
“We have been there before and believe it will be a good experience facing our opponents in a familiar place,” Vipers Vice captain Geoffrey Wasswa told Vipers.
“The teamwork, commitment and determination are all we need to progress.”
In the 2016 CAF Champions League Qualifiers, the Venoms lost 2-1 on aggregate to Nigeria’s Enyimba FC. The following season, they beat Volcano (Comoros) but lost to South Africa’s Platinum Stars in the first round.
