Sports
Vipers crowned champions as Minnaert hits back at critics
“People say we have not played well, but who scored the most goals and conceded the fewest? Everyone is focusing on the last games where we struggled, but nobody is talking about the games before that. For me, we have played well, and the reward is that we are champions.”
Vipers crowned champions as Minnaert hits back at critics
By: Yekoyada Saaka, Journalist @New Vision
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Uganda Premier League
Vipers 2 Express 0
KCCA 4 Mbarara 1
Villa 2 UPDF 1
UPPC 4 BUL 0
Calvary 2 NEC 0
Lugazi 0 Maroons 1
Kitara 2 Police 2
Buhimba 0 URA 3
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Newly crowned Uganda Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers SC have brushed aside criticism over their style of play after sealing the 2025/26 league title unbeaten on the pitch, with head coach Ivan Minnaert insisting the results prove they were the best side in the country.
The Belgian tactician made the remarks on Saturday at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, after Vipers wrapped up their successful campaign with a 2-0 victory over Express FC courtesy of goals from Abdulkarim Watambala and Gusto Mulongo.
“When you win the league, it means you are the best team,” Minnaert said after the title celebrations. “People say we have not played well, but who scored the most goals and conceded the fewest? Everyone is focusing on the last games where we struggled, but nobody is talking about the games before that. For me, we have played well, and the reward is that we are champions.”
Minnaert, who took charge of the Venoms at the start of the season, has come under pressure in recent weeks following a dip in form towards the end of the campaign.
However, Vipers benefited from the inconsistency of close challengers KCCA FC, SC Villa and Kitara FC, who failed to sustain serious pressure in the title race.
The pressure intensified after Vipers were eliminated from the Stanbic Uganda Cup at the semi-final stage by Kitara on the away goals rule at Kitende.
Following that result, speculation over Minnaert’s future at the club intensified, with reports suggesting he could be sacked despite leading the club to the league crown. The Belgian, however, remained unfazed by the rumours.
“I remember before I started, there were people saying I would be gone by September 2025, but here I am in 2026 having won the league title,” he said.
“Exiting the Uganda Cup was disappointing, but cup competitions can be like a lottery. We drew and got eliminated on away goals, but the most important thing is winning the league, which we have done.”
Minnaert also admitted uncertainty over his future at the club.
“Whether I will be here next season or not, we shall wait and see. In coaching, the day you sign is the day you get sacked. For now, we are celebrating the league title because the rest is not in my control,” he added.
Vipers skipper Milton Karisa also acknowledged that the team were not at their best throughout the campaign but praised the squad’s fighting spirit.
“This is my sixth league title as a player at the club, and I am very happy,” Karisa said. “It has been a tough campaign, but I thank my teammates for fighting hard to ensure that we defended our crown.”
The triumph marked Vipers’ eighth league title overall and their fifth in the last seven seasons.
The Venoms finished the campaign with 67 points from 30 matches, ahead of KCCA on 62 points and SC Villa on 61, while Kitara settled for fourth place with 56 points.
By winning the title, Vipers also secured qualification for next season’s CAF Champions League.
During the crowning ceremony, former Vipers goalkeeper Ismail Watenga delivered the trophy to the podium, while FUFA second vice president Taibu Azar led the medal presentation alongside Vipers president Lawrence Mulindwa.