Desperate for points: Vipers host Ntugasaze in must-win clash

Uganda Premier League

Saturday, 8pm

Vipers v Ntugasaze

Vipers return to domestic action on Saturday with their Uganda Premier League (UPL) title defence in need of an early lift when they host Ntugasaze FC at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

The champions are yet to win a competitive match this season after their CAF Champions League campaign ended at the first preliminary round, with Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou advancing on the away-goals rule following a 1-1 aggregate draw.

Vipers will now turn their attention to the league, where they face newly promoted Ntugasaze under the floodlights in a match that offers head coach Denis Lavagne an opportunity to revive his side’s campaign.

The Venoms began their league season with a 1-0 home defeat to Entebbe UPPC before drawing 1-1 with Nouadhibou at Kitende and 0-0 in the return leg in Nouakchott.

With most of their title rivals having already played four league matches, Vipers cannot afford another setback if they are to keep pace in the early stages of the title race.

BUL have made a perfect start, winning all four of their matches to lead the table on 12 points, while NEC FC and SC Villa, two sides expected to challenge for the title, have collected 10 points each.

Lavagne came under pressure after Vipers failed to achieve their stated target of progressing beyond the opening round of the Champions League. However, reports from Kitende indicate that the French coach will remain in charge as the club shifts its focus to domestic competitions.

The former Coton Sport and Al Hilal coach now faces the task of improving a side that has looked short of its best in its opening three competitive matches.

Vipers have struggled to create clear-cut chances, while defensive errors have proved costly and their attack has lacked the sharpness expected of the reigning champions.

Against Ntugasaze, Lavagne will demand a much-improved performance and, more importantly, maximum points as Vipers seek to get their title defence back on track.

For Ntugasaze, meanwhile, the transition to top-flight football has been difficult. The Brewers have lost all three of their opening matches and sit at the bottom of the 18-team table.

They have conceded eight goals and scored only two. Head coach Pius Ngabo will have to quickly find solutions to his side’s defensive problems while improving their ability to create scoring opportunities.