CAF CL: Vipers eyes group stages as they take on TP Mazembe

The StarTimes Uganda Premier League reigning champions Vipers SC will be targeting group stages as they welcome Congolese side TP Mazembe in the Second Round of the CAF Champions League at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende on Sunday.

The Kitende meeting will be the first of the two-legged encounter, with the second slated exactly one week away in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Venoms eliminated Olympic Real De Bangui in the Preliminary Round, courtesy of a 4-0 aggregate win to set up a date with the Congolese side.

Vipers SC head coach Roberto Oliveira alias Robertinho is hopeful that all the hard work and preparations will come to fruition on Sunday evening.

“Our objective is clear, we want to qualify to the next round even though we are playing a difficult team in TP Mazembe,” Robertinho said.

“But, as Vipers we trust our capacity and we have one strong team. I respect TP Mazembe but they will need to respect Vipers too,” he added.

The Sunday bout will be the first time the Venoms and the Ravens lock-horns in history, and Robertinho reiterated the team will give everything to get a good result.

“We want to win and we’re going to give it our life because the objective is to reach reach the Group stages.”

“We have built this team for the champions league. It’s my club, we’re all together, it’s one big family.”

“My objective tomorrow is to play well, have good ball possession and win so that we qualify,” The Brazilian added.

Vipers SC will be hoping to get past this final hurdle to make their first ever Group stages in this competition.

The winner of the two-legged affair will be cruising to the Groups, the other team will get into the CAF Confederation Cup.