Vipers SC enter new territory on Tuesday as they make their maiden Uganda Premier League trip to Yumbe to face struggling Calvary FCbut they will do so without three of their most influential players.
With Allan Okello, Hillary Mukundane and Rogers Torach all away on Uganda Cranes duty in Morocco for AFCON preparations, the champions travel light. Yet head coach Ivan Minnaert insists the champions remain well equipped, turning to dependable squad options such as Kevin Da Sylva Bady and Livingston Mulondo to steady the backline.
The technical bench has also seen a shake-up, with assistant coach Fred Muhumuza stepping into the national team setup to replace Sam Ssimbwa as Paul Put’s deputy — a development that further colours Vipers’ preparations.
Tuesday’s clash marks the first-ever league meeting between the two sides. Vipers, third on 17 points after seven matches, are looking to reignite momentum following a 1-1 draw with NEC at Lugogo. A win in Yumbe would keep them tight on the heels of joint contenders Villa and leaders KCCA.
For Calvary, rooted to the bottom with a single point from eight games, the fixture is less about history and more about survival. After managing only a goalless draw against Maroons so far, they now face the daunting task of hosting the league’s most decorated force of the past decade.
