Vipers SC head to Zambia with everything to fight for as they seek to overturn a slender first-leg defeat when they take on Power Dynamos in the decisive return leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round at the Levi Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The Ugandan champions trail 2–1 after last Sunday’s setback at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, where Yunus Sentamu’s strike proved insufficient to cancel out goals from Moses Shuma and an unfortunate Derrick Ndahiro own goal for the Zambians.
As the Venoms prepare for a make-or-break evening on the road, captain Milton Karisa has urged his teammates to show belief and unity in their pursuit of a comeback.
“I feel like we didn’t show our best selves for 90 minutes in the first leg and it kinda cost us,” Karisa admitted. “If we have no belief for Power Dynamos, we have no chance. We have to believe in ourselves going into the second leg. We’ve got to believe, let’s do it together, Venoms.”
Karisa’s call to arms captures the mood in the Vipers camp, one of determination and quiet confidence. The task is clear: win in Ndola or see their continental dream fade.
Head coach Ivan Jacky Minnaert remains optimistic that his charges can flip the script in Zambia, drawing strength from the lessons learned in the first encounter.
“The positives we carried on from the first leg is that we have 90 minutes to play,” said Minnaert. “Power Dynamos showed their hunger. I think we have the ability, we certainly have the quality, and now we have to prove it.”
Minnaert, still early into his tenure as Vipers’ boss, knows this clash will be a true measure of his side’s character.
“Hopefully we have learned and we can show the composure, the determination and the belief that is very important,” he added. “Tomorrow we know what we are going to be facing, and it’s going to be tough. So, to my players, be very focused, very determined and go for it.”
The Venoms will, however, be without key defender Kevin Dasylva Bady, who remains sidelined due to suspension after accumulating yellow cards.
